ODE Dermatology
Feeling more like a hotel than a clinic, ODE Dermatology on Fitzroy's glamorous Gertrude St draws upon the tenets of high-end hospitality to offer a luxurious wellness experience.
Foolscap designed ODE for medical dermatologist Dr Shyamalar Gunatheesan, creating her first independent clinic in a Victorian shopfront on Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street. The project replaces the sterility of traditional dermatology with a hospitality-infused environment offering a holistic wellness experience; feeling more like a boutique hotel than a clinic.
Working closely with the client through early branding workshops, Foolscap developed a concept based around honouring the self. Shaped by the idea of a “quiet ode to one’s self,” the design explores the duality of blending human touch with high-tech capability, and engaging with the transformative qualities of skincare and health.
High-end luxury principles guide the interior architecture. A curved, translucent fibreglass wall defines the concierge area, supported by aluminium blade shelving forming a delicate bone-like structure. This curves behind a softly illuminated counter, anchoring the arrival experience with warmth and calm. A specially designed side extension forms the clinic’s spine, topped with a leafy lightwell delivering diffused natural light and greenery through the ground floor. The rear ground floor was extended and upgraded with new technology infrastructure to support ODE’s advanced clinical capabilities.
A decompression lounge offers a calm threshold before treatment, furnished with designer pieces, soft textiles, and a custom houndstooth rug. Period details are preserved and contrasted with contemporary elements, including sheer drapery, mixed metals, polished natural stone, and Myles Pedlar photographic prints, heightening the clinic's sensory quality.
The design navigates the complexity of Australian clinical regulations, accommodating a staff room, nurse’s station, sterilisation room, and space for large medical equipment. Consultation rooms balance pragmatism, heritage, and luxury, meeting safety requirements while elevating the patient experience through refined detailing.
