Dr Digrandi’s Medical Practice

Dr Digrandi’s medical practice is a little gem nestled within the urban fabric of Ragusa. Originally a modest two-storey commercial premises, the practice is now a single open-plan space with a mezzanine level, thanks to the partial demolition of the intermediate floor. This strategic decision has allowed the space to feel significantly more expansive, a sensation amplified by the use of clear and opal-coloured glass in the consultation rooms and other areas. The glazed door leads directly into the waiting room, characterised by its double-height ceiling, where an elegant reception desk is situated. The staircase, which is both substantial and light in appearance, is set against one of the two side walls; however, thanks to a number of design features, it stands slightly apart from it – albeit by just a few centimetres – just as it stands apart from the masonry base into which the first steps have been carved. This allows it to curve slightly to follow the wall, enhancing the sense of lightness and movement intended for an element that is fundamental not only for its role in connecting the two levels, but also for its aesthetic function and its role in defining the entire space. The dynamic effect created in this way is balanced by the small but compact volume of the toilet facilities on the opposite wall. The sloping profile of the mezzanine appears to be part of the ‘choreography’ performed by the staircase, but it also serves the practical purpose of creating more space for the armchairs in the small waiting room above, which was made possible precisely in this way. Inside Dr Digrandi’s surgery, the austere, minimalist décor finds its balance in the contrast with the large backlit glass panel, screen-printed with an abstract design inspired by the circulatory system and perhaps also by the branches of trees in a woodland – a symbol of the organic nature to which we all belong and which doctors know so well.