It’s easy to think of orthodontic treatment – whether it be traditional braces or newer Invisalign-type approaches – as a teenage rite of passage, but adults are an increasingly important part of practitioners’ practices today. In fact, they now make up almost a third of orthodontists’ current patient load, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, and that figure represents a 40% increase in the past decade.
This shift has implications for how practices are designed. A recently completed office in Saginaw, Mich., illustrates the role mixed materials and textures now play in these exteriors, with metal composite wall panels in two colors combining to create an eye-catching entry.
A range of reasons explains why adults now are turning to treatments more common to teens. Baby boomers might want a younger-looking smile, while millennials are hoping to boost their online appearance during the video conferences now common in their work lives. Regardless, office appearance matters as these older patients evaluate their provider options. The design of Saginaw’s new White Orthodontics office offers a strong example of what to do right, with an entry-focused plan that creates a great first impression.
Starting with a standard, suburban office park-style curtainwall-and-clapboard-style box, designers with Arch 1 Ltd., of Harbor Springs, Mich., framed out the front elevation with off-white aluminum composite material (ACM) panels to add depth and shadow to what could have been a ho-hum exterior. Black ACM panels outline the building’s parapet, creating a strong contrast against the horizon. ACM panels typically are specified when large extremely flat surfaces are desired.
Arch 1’s team, working with installers from Saginaw-based Graham Construction, specified PAC-CLAD 3000 RS ACM panels from Petersen in Limestone and Deep Black finishes for the project. The company’s PAC-3000 RS series is a rain-screen system that eliminates the need for caulk. The result is a contemporary appearance featuring clean reveals. The panels fit into an extruded track attached to the building’s substrate, allowing for unobstructed airflow to prevent trapped moisture.
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