Case Study: Building a Premier Dental Office Design in Colorado Springs

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Client

Cordera Family Dentistry

Industry

Dental

Area

6,630 SF

Completed

2023

Chairs

Type

Ground Up

Architect

JoeArchitect

Builder

BVB General Contractors

Photographer

Chad and Micah Sahhar

Overview

In the vibrant and rapidly growing city of Colorado Springs, Cordera Family Dentistry sought to create a flagship dental office design that served the needs of their growing community as well as establish a fresh standard for patient experience and operational efficiency. Situated to maximize exposure within its community, this 6,630-square-foot facility embodies modern dental care with an open, light-filled, spa-like environment.

Dental Office Design

Designed from the ground up, the project was envisioned as a long-term investment in patient care, staff wellness, and the future of dental delivery. With 14 operatories and three full-time dentists, Cordera Family Dentistry now offers a range of services from general dentistry to cosmetic and restorative procedures, all under one beautiful and highly efficient roof.

“This has far exceeded my expectations, and I believe the impression the building, and your work, make on the potential patients is an important part of that growth.”

Dr. Hans Egbert

Project Goals

The leadership team at Cordera Family Dentistry articulated three primary goals at the outset of this dental office design project:

Create an Inviting, State-of-the-Art Dental Facility: The new dental office design needed to deliver an elevated patient experience while incorporating the latest dental technologies and infection control measures.

Dental Office Design for Growth and Operational Flow: Having outgrown their previous office, the space needed to support efficient workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and remain flexible for future growth.

Leverage the Site’s Location: The chosen site provided optimal visibility from high-traffic access roads to surrounding residential and retail neighbors and offered views of the Front Range mountains. The building’s orientation and design were developed to maximize its visual presence in the community.

Site Selection and Design Challenges

While the doctors knew the general location for their building, the specific site selection was a process that included several site and building design revisions on a property that proved insufficient for their needs. Upon relocating the project to another available site, the design team worked within the site constraints in order to maximize exposure within the surrounding community, ensure efficient site access, and orient the building for the future introduction of a rooftop photovoltaic array.

Design Concept

Natural Calm Meets Clinical Precision

The design intent was to balance the ergonomic and pragmatic requirements of a dental office with a practice-specific interior and exterior character that would set Cordera Family Dentistry apart and become a physical manifestation of their brand. Both exterior and interior materials were selected to convey the solid, reliable nature of the patient care the dental team provides.

Key Interior Elements

Reception and Waiting Area: With a soaring 23-foot ceiling, accompanying curtainwall that provides southern and western views of the Front Range mountains, and borrowed light from the north wall of the entry element, patients experience a welcoming, dynamic reception reminiscent of mountain canyons found in the nearby Rockies.

Clinic: The 14 operatories are arranged in two flanks, with each operatory featuring full-height windows. The ops are divided by a combination of conventional drywall partitions and a semi-transparent storefront feature located along the clinical hallways.

Staff Lounge: Located at the east end of the clinic, the dental office design includes a staff area that has a generous break and meeting room with lockers, a kitchenette and staff-only restroom.

Notable Technologies

Digital Radiography & CBCT Scanning: Consistent with every successful project, the design team collaborated carefully with the dental equipment and IT specialists.

Chairside Monitors & Intraoral Cameras: Each operatory is outfitted with three monitors—one for staff use, one patient-facing—for improved communication, and one mounted on the ceiling for patient entertainment during procedures.

Central Sterilization Center: Designed using lean workflow principles, the sterilization center is visible but enclosed, reinforcing both transparency and infection control.

Construction Process and Timeline

The ground-up construction project took 15 months from initial excavation to final certificate of occupancy. Close coordination among the architect, general contractor, and dental equipment vendor was essential. Regular site meetings and digital coordination tools allowed real-time problem-solving and kept the project on schedule.

HIGHLIGHTS

Site Preparation: 2 months (including grading, utility connections, and foundation work)

Framing & Enclosure: 6 months (timber and steel hybrid structure)

Interior Buildout: 6 months (including all MEP, cabinetry, and finishes)

Address Punch List Items: 1 months

Operational Success

Since opening its doors of the new facility with the updated dental office design, Cordera Family Dentistry has experienced a 59% monthly increase in new patient bookings, with consistently high ratings on patient experience surveys. Patient feedback highlights not just the aesthetic comfort of the space, but also the professionalism and smoothness of their visits. A dedicated consult room has also improved case acceptance for cosmetic and restorative treatments. They report collections are up 70% on a monthly basis above their pre-move level. This tremendous growth comes despite a reduction in insurance participation with several of the large insurance providers in the market.

HIGHLIGHTS

14 Operatories in Rotation: With flexible scheduling, hygiene and restorative care are balanced throughout the day.

Three Full-Time Dentists: Each dentist operates semi-autonomously, with access to three to five chairs per day depending on caseload.

Team Efficiency: The central sterilization hub, dual corridors, and clear sightlines have reduced turnover times and improved communication between assistants and providers.

Staff Wellness & Retention: The new office was designed with the staff’s well-being in mind, and the results have been striking. The inclusion of large windows, break areas with natural light, and ergonomic operatories have contributed to reduced burnout and higher staff satisfaction.

The layout separates “on-stage” and “off-stage” zones, giving staff moments of respite throughout the day. Ample storage, lockers, and the premier staff room have been well-used and well-loved.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability was an important consideration from both an environmental and operational standpoint. The team pursued a range of green building strategies, including:

High-performance HVAC: Zoned systems with energy recovery ventilators and smart thermostats ensure patient and staff comfort with minimal energy waste.

LED Lighting: Energy efficient LED fixtures provide consistent, comfortable lighting throughout the offices.

Water Conservation: Designed using lean workflow principles, the sterilization center is visible but enclosed, reinforcing both transparency and infection control.

Solar-Ready Infrastructure: Although solar panels were not part of the initial build, conduit and roof capacity were included for future solar installation.

Client Perspective

“I can’t imagine a better experience. Joe and Caroline worked with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. They were reliable, timely, friendly, thorough, helpful and just generally amazing. I have rarely experienced such a pleasant and impressive professional experience. They reliably followed the project through from beginning to end and beyond. They consistently acted as a calming and stabilizing influence when things got tense with the contractor. I was genuinely impressed over and over again at how effectively Joe communicates in difficult situations. I am truly grateful we chose them for our project and would encourage anyone looking for a great architectural team to get in touch with them. Words are inadequate to express the gratitude I feel for all they did during our project. Thank you Joe! Thank you Caroline!”

Conclusion

Cordera Family Dentistry’s new office is a testament to what’s possible when thoughtful design meets a passion for care. With its state-of-the-art facilities, stunning views, and efficient layout, the practice is well-positioned to serve the Colorado Springs community for decades to come.

As healthcare delivery continues to evolve, this case study stands as a model for how to combine clinical excellence with architectural beauty, grounded in a deep understanding of both human and operational needs.
While the project was successful, key lessons emerged that could benefit other practices embarking on similar ground-up builds. Investing in pre-design planning with dental consultants and workflow specialists proved invaluable, ensuring the layout remained efficient for years to come. Designing for flexibility was also crucial, as the new infrastructure now seamlessly supports up to five providers, despite currently having three, without requiring any spatial alterations. Finally, the project underscored the immense value of natural light, with a strong emphasis on windows in both patient and staff areas significantly boosting satisfaction and overall wellness.