Baftar Dermatology Clinic: Minimalist Design Meets Medical Precision

By AsNow Design & Construct | Tehran, Iran | 2022

Baftar Dermatology Clinic, designed by AsNow Design & Construct, transforms a compact 110 m² space in Tehran into a refined environment where medical functionality meets architectural elegance. Completed in 2022, the project redefines how healthcare interiors can be both aesthetically captivating and functionally optimized, drawing inspiration from the very principles of dermatology: texture, layers, purification, sensitivity, and precision.

Concept and Inspiration

The design concept began with an exploration of dermatology’s vocabulary — terms like texture, layering, purification, and delicacy. These words became spatial metaphors, guiding the architects in creating a space that reflects the mastery and precision of medical practice.

Instead of concealing the building’s structure, the design peels away unnecessary layers, much like a dermatologist treats skin. By removing excessive partitions and suspended ceilings, the architects revealed the raw concrete slab network and exposed utility pipes, transforming them into design features rather than hiding them.

Materiality and Spatial Strategy

A mesh shell wraps the space, unifying its elements while allowing flexibility for mechanical and electrical systems. This layer acts as both a visual texture and a functional framework, creating a coherent architectural language.

The treatment box — a curved, semi-transparent glass enclosure — sits at the heart of the clinic. Its smooth, polished finish contrasts sharply with the mesh’s raw texture, symbolizing the intersection of sterile precision and tactile roughness. The curved design not only enhances spatial flow but also complies with hygiene standards required for examination and minor surgical procedures.

Addressing Site Challenges

One of the clinic’s unique site conditions was a narrow, elongated corridor leading to a corner with a panoramic view of the alley’s sycamore trees. Rather than treating it as dead space, the designers embraced it as a green visual axis, framing the trees to elevate the sensory quality of the journey from waiting room to treatment room.

A vaulted alcove near this corridor offers a multifunctional private space for staff. Its double-door system allows the dressing room to be concealed when needed, maintaining privacy without disrupting the architectural rhythm.

User Experience and Atmosphere

The waiting area is intentionally positioned to face the treatment box. This layout subverts the conventional clinic model, where treatment spaces are hidden away, instead offering a teasing glimpse of the care process. The interplay of transparency and opacity sparks curiosity while maintaining privacy for patients inside.

Soft lighting, natural textures, and controlled spatial proportions create a calming, spa-like ambiance while still respecting the clinical rigor necessary in healthcare design.

Design Details

• Location: Tehran, Iran
• Year of Completion: 2022
• Area: 110 m²
• Lead Architects: Ehsan Tavassoli, Solmaz Tatari
• Lighting Design: AsNow Design & Construct
• Photography: Nimkat Architectural Photography
• Key Materials: Palermo Ceramic, tscoglass

Architectural Takeaway

Baftar Dermatology Clinic exemplifies how healthcare architecture can transcend mere functionality. Through an interplay of raw and refined materials, exposure and concealment, and strategic spatial storytelling, the clinic delivers both operational efficiency and a memorable patient experience.

All photographs are works of Nimkat Architectural Photography