Houston Premier Dermatology Gets a Makeover

Visiting a doctor's office can sometimes feel sterile, outdated, and even anxiety-inducing — but when you step into Houston Premier Dermatology, you feel like you’re at the spa.

Houston Premier Dermatology, founded by Dr. Catherine Papasakelariou, is a wellness facility based in Houston, Texas. She offers medical dermatology and cosmetic services using state-of-the-art technology. While her original office provided the essential functions for daily operations, the business was quickly outgrowing the space. The client also wanted to take this opportunity to create a great first impression in the new lobby area.

The project began with a walkthrough of Dr. Papasakelariou's original office to further assess her needs and identify problem areas. We noticed that the space lacked separation between the reception and nursing stations and that the flow through the office was not well optimized for privacy. One of the challenges we encountered while searching for a building to house Dr. Papasakelariou's new office was that many of the options with existing build-outs did not meet the client’s unique requirements. Our solution was to build out the entire office from an empty shell to create a bespoke client and employee experience.

The reception area was designed to integrate the logo, brand, and create the right image. We installed a specialty light fixture over the reception desk and a marble mosaic wall that matched the client’s logo perfectly. The semicircular architecture of the building was leveraged to create pathways delineated by flooring. Following the pattern on the floor, clients could seamlessly flow from the waiting area to the exam room and continue to check-out without backtracking. A centrally located nurses’ station anchors the path and mirrors the buildings architecture. The finish palette predominantly consists of white with warm wood and metal accents. Working with light finishes was a concern related to Hibiclens, a bright orange antiseptic solution that typically stains both skin and surfaces. Before finalizing material selections, we sent samples to Dr. Papasakelariou so she could personally test them, and they passed. We complemented these tested materials with textured wallpapers for warmth and brass inlays to evoke a jewelry-like quality. The resulting aesthetic is that of an approachable, spa-like experience.

Now, Dr. Papasakelariou’s new office is as ease-inducing as her bedside manner. Patients have peace of mind, knowing that their privacy is honored by the space and the team at Houston Premier Dermatology can operate with the confidence that they have everything they need for their success.