In the heart of downtown Boston, ForeFront Eye Care is a newly-opened concierge eye clinic that evokes a tranquil, spa-like aesthetic with a double-height atrium, thoughtfully considered exam spaces, and new staff offices and lounges. The practice, formerly known as Korb & Associates and founded in 1920, is one of the oldest continually operating eyecare offices in the country and is recognized as being on the cutting edge in the fields of dry eye and contact lens technology. Relocating from a cramped, basement-level space in the Back Bay residential neighborhood, the move to a renovated office space downtown coincided with the company’s rebrand to ForeFront Eye Care, representing a new generation of leadership stepping forward and a more visible presence within Boston.

In contrast to the organization’s clinical and utilitarian former offices, this new location highlights the group’s deep expertise and boutique approach to specialty eye care. The space consists of a ground level retail and reception area with lab and exam spaces at the rear, as well as a mezzanine level which houses a staff lounge and offices. In a study of contrasts throughout the offices, the design team juxtaposed soft, rounded shapes with glassy, harder surfaces, inspired by eyeglasses themselves. A lens motif can be found subtly throughout the interiors, be it in an overlapping circular area rug, rounded light fixtures and mirrors, or a central custom millwork display piece, shaped to mimic the arm of a pair of eyeglasses, or “temple”. A curved wall separates the front and back of the first floor and leads to a rounded stairway, creating a gracious entrance up to the exam rooms.

An emphasis on wellness and tranquility was highlighted throughout the overall concept, which utilizes a color palette of greens and grays, a minimalist aesthetic, and natural materials to add up to a serene, spa-like environment. Moving to a street-front office space gave the practice an opportunity to install new exam technology and machine upgrades, creating more flexibility and a further streamlined process for an improved customer experience. The offices, opening in downtown Boston during a moment when new retail leases have been few and far between, represent a turning point for a longtime local business to reintroduce itself to the city and its residents in a prominent, previously vacant location.

Design: Hacin
Contractor: Corderman & Company, Inc.
Photography: Bob O’Connor