Center for Precision Dental Medicine, Columbia University

Columbia University’s Center for Precision Dental Medicine was designed with both data and the humans experience in mind. The sound-dampening curved ceiling and cubicles offer privacy and a feeling of security and personalized attention, while the raised floor allows for cabling to transmit massive amounts of data to continually hone dental practices for the benefit of dentists and patients alike.

The Center had a very specific request: they wanted the light to be diffused for the comfort of their patients, who would be facing upwards, but still needed the space to be very bright for maximal visibility.

Nanometer used NanoLine fixtures as pendants whose light reflected off the sound-dampening ceiling. Just as the sound is softened and diffused for a more relaxing experience, so too is the light. However, thanks to NanoLine products offering significantly higher outputs than similar fixtures, the space was still bright enough for the dental students to perform their best work. The result is an experience that is both tranquil and functional for patients and dentists alike.

An upwards-facing patient already has a light shining in their face. No need to exacerbate the situation with harsh overhead lighting, too.

A new kind of pendant: At the time, it was impossible to find a power-via-aircraft cable pendant option, but Nanometer was able to develop their own, cutting down on the bulk and visual clutter of the linear fixtures and allowing for minimal interference with the light.

The ceiling’s undulations also provide a cohesive sense of connection even as the individual stations are partitioned for privacy. The fresh white light evokes a feeling not only of peace, but also of clarity and cleanliness, exactly the feeling anyone would want for their dentist visit.