Ghafari Associates took careful thought to creating a kid-friendly and adult accessible space at Port City Pediatrics in Norton Shores, Michigan.

Our client, Port City Pediatrics, decided to construct a new medical office building for their family practice that serves infants, children, and adolescents. Their former facility had become outdated, and couldn’t accommodate the future growth they anticipated. The program for this new facility called for 18+ exam rooms, two waiting rooms, doctors’ offices, a lab, nurse stations, a break room, and a family restroom. The client’s main objectives were to increase their operational efficiency, and provide a comfortable space where children would not feel like they were in a doctor’s office.

Although this office primarily serves children, the client still wanted to accommodate adults. To accomplish this, our team selected comfortable furniture with smooth edges and soft textures, ensuring they would be easy to clean, while still giving the office a sleek feel. Seating and tables were provided in multiple heights to accommodate children as well as their parents and guardians. In the family restroom, a small toilet was included for small children. “Kid-themed” pieces were incorporated into the waiting room to make it a more fun and interactive space, decreasing potential anxiety.

Our design provides separate waiting rooms, one for sick patients, and one for well patients, and creates a space that meets the client’s growing space and functional requirements. Due to the project’s proximity to the lakeshore, we found inspiration in the rolling sand dunes and waves of Lake Michigan. This feature is evident in the rooflines and facades, which vary in pitch. The building’s color extends from exterior to interior with both soft and deep blues, in addition to hints of gray. The floor pattern in the lobby creates a wave of color.

Architect: Ghafari Associates
Contractor: CopperRock Construction
Photography: courtesy of CopperRock Construction