Multifunctional Furniture Wall in the Gynmed Outpatient Clinic

The Gynmed outpatient clinic was established on one floor of a Viennese Gründerzeit building, with approximately two-thirds of the 380 m² area dedicated to reception, administration, waiting area, and distribution zone.

To achieve this, the existing space was cleared of all partition walls, and the resulting open-plan area was structured by a single piece of furniture: a 2.10 m high wall unit. Connections to the masonry are achieved through skylights or glass doors to emphasize the freestanding character, while maple wood and yellow faux leather further underscore the furniture-like appearance.

Upon closer inspection, this wall unit reveals itself as an extremely complex and sophisticated multifunctional system: In addition to the necessary office shelves and cabinets, it integrates a kitchenette and laboratory unit, a server rack with enhanced security features, and a wet room. Furthermore, to create a more homely atmosphere, as desired by the client, plant niches were incorporated, and flush-mounted light panels can replace the corridor lighting. The sophisticated electronics for the access control system were integrated, as were all switches and sockets, room thermostats, and similar components. To allow staff to keep an eye on the entrance from their workstations, a “magic eye”—a one-way glass panel—was installed behind the reception desk. In contrast to the wall unit, this reception desk was designed as a “low-tech” sculpture, so that patients wouldn’t be confronted with the complex technology typical of a modern medical facility upon entering the outpatient clinic.

With the wall unit housing the office infrastructure, the actual workstation furnishings could be reduced to just a few elements: a desk and a chair. Efficient work arises from communication, and that happens over coffee. Therefore, the heart of the workspace is a central, bright staff room with a kitchenette and a terrace overlooking the green courtyard.

Neither this atmosphere nor this level of space efficiency could have been achieved with a standardized office furniture system.