DMG Interiors designed the Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates (ARA) Shady Grove Clinic with thoughtful attention to the patient experience in Rockville, Maryland.

DMG was brought on for a three-year expansion plan and multi-office corporate rebranding and redesign project for Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates (ARA) which kicked off during the height of the COVID pandemic. DMG’s main focus was to rethink ARA’s processes, patient flows, light and sound comforts and to incorporate new materials that are greener and more resilient with a longer life-span. The three-year expansion project started in 2019 and at this time, three of the seven ARA office redesigns have been completed (Rockville, MD, Fairfax, VA and Washington DC).

The Shady Grove, MD office location became ARA’s largest facility, accommodating physical therapy, infusion and the clinic on two floors. DMG followed LEED guidelines which became the standard for all new and updated ARA offices. One particular challenge for this location since it was an existing practice, DMG needed to phase out the construction in order for the practice to remain open during the entire duration of the construction. Another challenge was to widen the former corridors to fit within the new ARA standards in an existing space, so DMG created open areas around the nurse stations to “decompress” the existing long corridors.

DMG’s main focus for this expansion project was an opportunity to rethink ARA’s established branding in order to provide a cohesive aesthetic and incorporate new materials that are greener and more resilient with a longer life-span for the five existing ARA office locations, as well as three brand new ARA office build-outs. The design concept follows the principles of Healing Design; understanding that through the built environment, we can reduce stress for care givers and patients, especially in practices like ARA providing infusion and physical therapy treatments.

By harnessing the power of interior design, DMG created a healing environment, thus improving the overall patient outcome and experience. LEED values and Healing Design concepts where used when creating the standards and rethinking the space configuration. When properly incorporated into a space, elements of Healing Design have the ability to foster patients’ wellbeing, including the color palette, use of natural light, sound comforts and noise reduction finishes, ergonomic comforts, natural textiles and the overall furniture layout.

Design: DMG Interiors
Photography: Matthew Barrick