Dortmund Hospital
The challenge this Dortmund hospital posed for the smart art team? “To structure and improve the foyer and through-passage of the Klinikum Dortmund, which is currently very minimalistic and clean, in order to make it more inviting for patients and visitors.” The idea and design were personally created by smart art owner and artist Martin Dippel. For a project of this scale, deciding on a design concept is part of an extensive process. That’s why several other concepts were considered, then rejected, before the final idea was eventually found. Ultimately, the decision-makers settled on a very special idea: two-dimensional objects on the walls and ceiling, designed in such a way that they appeared startlingly three-dimensional. Although it was initially hard to visualise this idea, the end result made everything clear. With their street-art style, the curved and colourful objects stand out clearly against their white background, appearing to partially protrude into the room itself. The objects, which in fact are mounted flat against the walls, feature soft twists and turns, and appear to float three-dimensionally in space. These pieces were carefully designed digitally in advance before being produced, mounted and painstakingly painted by hand by the smart art team. The optical illusions appear in welcoming, natural shades of orange and rust. But the job wasn’t over with the completion of the walls and ceiling. The team also needed to design matching furnishings and screens, not to mention integrate the existing kiosk to match the interiors. Working with a graphic designer and carpenter, the team created the perfect furniture, seating and room dividers. The bar stools and tables built around the pillars in the atrium now attract patients and visitors, too. All in all, the Klinikum Dortmund project was one of smart art’s most complicated yet representative, and the team has every right to be proud of their work.