November 11th, 2009 by Natasha
We had a call recently from one of our previous clients. It was devastating – while on holidays there was a power blackout at his practice and it had a traumatic effect on his fabulous salt water reef tank. The sensitive eco system was all but destroyed…
The question is ‘do you replenish or abandon?’
It was a tough decision – this tank had been a passion since we designed it four years ago (not to mention the tank from the before the redesign). But priorities change, right? His focus was been becoming more about family, more about ‘work/life’ balance.
So where do we come in? I think our client didn’t know who else to call that could possibly understand his dilemma – who better but the designers who created the centerpiece in the first place!
For me it was a no-brainer – the comment that clinched it for me was that he was stressing about whether the beautiful, wondous species would survive the weekend without a check up. The thing had to go! If you’re losing sleep, something has to change..,
We assured him that we weren’t offended that he was removing part of our original design and that we could come up with a replacement design to dress up the soon to be empty corner if he so desired. I called him a couple of days later and the decision had been made – the tank was going.
So now all we have to do is come up with something fabulous and interesting to look at for that soon to be bare corner – let the creativity commence!
(I’ll let you know how we go! And if you know of anyone looking to buy a well loved, beatifully designed fish tank…drop us a line 
!!!)
Categories: Ego Squared projects
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November 7th, 2009 by Natasha
Friends of mine, Glenn and Julia from OM4 are currently in the process of fitting out their new office (which they kindly asked us to design). It has given them a greater understanding about what we do – which is something that is difficult to explain fully unless you’ve been through it yourself.
Julia has her own eloquent explanation of the process. She compared it to having a baby. Designers are the midwives, taking measurements, making recommendations, offering advice, ensuring that what is developing can be the best it can be. However, what our clients ultimately decide upon is entirely up to them, whether it be a paint colour (home or hospital) through to how they decide to construct – DIY or head contractor (natural or cesarean).
The construction itself is the birth; stressful, scarey, exciting and hopefully not too painful with no unexpected surprises. Us, ‘midwives’ hover around offering advice and support as required and reminding our clients to breathe with comforting words of ‘it will be worth it in the end.’
And it is worth it. The result should be something amazing and fabulous and life altering and worth the hard work. Unlike kids however, a new practice isn’t to0 hard to ‘make good’ or change as it gets older and if it all gets too much you can always sell 
This is our little project!
Categories: A Design Concept That Works
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October 21st, 2009 by Natasha
When starting a new practice or moving into new premises it is important to take into account local council requirements (not to mention, how long these applications take). The process is different in each state and each council individually interpret the guidelines and also have their own priorities and areas they target.
I thought I would take this opportunity to select a number of our latest projects and highlight each of their experiences with local councils. As I started writing, I realized how complex this topic is, so have decided to break it down into a posst per project.
Case 1. New dental practice opening in an existing house (WA)
Council involvement: Change of use from residential to medical consulting rooms
Drawings provided: Site plan, demolition plan, floor plan (by Ego Squared) Contour survey, parking and landscaping plans (using external consultants)
Approval length: two months (including three weeks advertising)
Main issues: parking
Description: Council initially requested six parking bays including one disabled bay (three bays per practitioner). Our client requested a total of eight bays as we had plenty of room at the rear of the property. After submission, council requested the majority of parking to be at the front of the house. As this was not possible, council allowed us to cross over the front boundary slightly giving us three bays out the front (including one disabled bay) and five out the back. As we got closer to achieving the approval, council suddenly requested an extra two bays (five bays per room) – lucky we had plenty of room!
I would love to hear your experiences – feel free to leave a comment!
Categories: Local council experiences
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October 8th, 2009 by Natasha
Well, the good news is that our Queensland project is 99% through the interior design process! The bad news is, I missed out on the trip:-(
Five weeks ago I had an anthroscopy on my ankle leaving me hobbling around in a cast. It was only the day before we left that I even considered that I might not be able to fly…surgeon verified that there was too much of a risk of swelling and dvt… Very disappointed…
Luckily, my partner Anthony, had been in control of this project and I was tagging along for the ride.
Nevermind, I told our client, I’ll be there for the grand opening party!
I look forward to revealing more about this exciting project soon!
Categories: Follow A Project
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September 29th, 2009 by Natasha
We are currently working with dentist in Queensland on his brand new practice. This weekend we are taking the opportunity to escape the rain here in Perth … I mean, see the site and meet our client IRL…hehehe!
Some clients are a little concerned about having a long distant relationship with their designer, but infact we quite enjoy working this way!
So, what are the benefits?
1. We keep in constant contact with our local clients via email, so this is no different. We find that this is a great way not to disturb our (very busy) clients, but still getting queries and information through – they can get back to us at a time convenient to them (even if it is 11pm or 6am:-)!)
2. As we are in Perth we are two hours behind our eastern states clients, so a conference call to discuss concepts or drawings after hours is still within our working hours (although we are happy to meet clients after hours if required!)
3. Eliminates travel time for both us and our clients (if the design is for a new practice elsewhere)
4. Purely from a selfish point of view – we get to travel!! Always happy to jump on a plan to … Anywhere, really:-)
Well, I look forward to bringing you some more info on the Queensland project later in the week!
Categories: Ego Squared projects
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September 9th, 2009 by Natasha
Ok, this is the coolest!! I am totally addicted to my iPhone – I recently downloaded the facebook app and thought ‘wouldn’t it be great of I could write my blog as easily as I update my status…?’.
Low and behold, I’ve downloaded wordpress onto my super dooper phone and am lying in bed at 11:30 at night writing a blog…!!!
(ok, that last paragraph just gave away that I’m not only a bit square, but I also have no life to speak of…:-)!)
So, I hope to get blogging regularly – I will try to maintain my dental focus, I promise!!
On that note, I noticed today that there is a healthcare design conference in Orlando Florida coming up…would love to get there!!
Categories: Uncategorized
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July 4th, 2009 by Natasha
I’m not sure if I should be grossed out or impressed by this Russian dentist - click here to check this out.
Dentistry is a science, right? Not an artistic outlet!
Let me know what you think!
Categories: Uncategorized
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January 13th, 2009 by Natasha
I was just surfing the web (like I have time to do that!) and found a dental forum called DentalChat I think its great to have many places to turn to ask for information – other peoples experiences are invaluable when it comes to make a decision.
It’s also great to have a place relatively anonymous to ask a dumb question – always better to ask a dumb question than make a stupid mistake!
Categories: Links
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January 12th, 2009 by Natasha
2008 went extremely quickly and we are almost half way through January 09 already! Well, this year promises to be the best year yet (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).
Unlike a lot of our mining industry friends, we have not, as yet, been affected by the ‘economic downturn’. We assume that the projects that we are working on have been in the pipeline for a long time and we won’t feel the effects for a while (hopefully, not ever!).
Last year ended with a flurry of work both from our dental/medical and non-dental/medical projects. We are looking forward to it continuing this year. In our sight, in particular, is the 33rd ADA Dental Congress & Exhibition.
Yes, Ego Squared will be there! We will be helping out on the Dentpro stand – if you’re going to be in Perth for this, we’d love to meet you!
That’s the biggest thing on our horizon at the moment - in regards to projects, we are just getting back into the new year (we are following the lead from our construction counter-parts who generally take a good couple of weeks to get back into the swing of things).
I do have a lot of catching up to do with updating the site, in both content and latest projects, but I look forward to letting you know all the latest as soon as I can!
Categories: Links
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December 11th, 2008 by Natasha
Dawn on the Margaret River by Ken Rasmussen
Australian landscape painter, Ken Rasmussen, has just launched his own website selling his studio collection direct to the public.
For those of you interested, much of Ken’s work features Margaret River, Broome, Kimberley and Rottnest landscapes.
I find Ken’s landscapes atypical of the landscape genre. His colour palette is just extraordinary.
I’d be delighted to base a surgery design around one of his landscapes! What could be better than the escape of a fabulous painting to take some of the stress of you day.
For those of you who haven’t finished your Santa duties, check out Ken Rasmussen!
Categories: Links
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