1107 PARK AVENUE

​Doctor Sales Whalen’s office is located on the East side of Park Avenue between East 88th and East 89th Streets. Like many of the medical offices located on the avenue, it is situated on the ground floor of a 1920’s residential building with its own separate entrance.

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The floor plan of the original doctor’s office had the reception in the middle, with the doctor’s private office facing the avenue and the exam rooms at the back. Flipping the plan was the first step of implementing our idea that when walking into Dr. Whalen’s office, a patient should feel as comfortable as if they were walking into a private residence, and in essence – contrary to the perception of visiting a doctor – would not rush to leave.

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The new reception was made almost twice as large as the old one and was located in the front of the space, facing the street. Three new exam rooms became the core of the space. The doctor’s office was moved to the back of the space which allowed it to become a mini suite with a private bathroom and two windows opening onto a small courtyard.

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The heart of the project is a cantilevered curved marble reception desk. The desk is made from a single piece of marble which was cut into segments and then carefully reassembled, ground, and polished to achieve the desired curve. A steel structure was designed to support the weight of the cantilevered stone and anchor the desk to the wall. The curve of the desk is also reflected in the curved walls and rounded columns, all part of the effort to create a calm and serene space.