When you’ve built a successful practice serving a loyal local clientele, how do you continue to grow while staying true to your roots? Drs. Goldie and Fournier found a way to do both—by staying close to their patients and maintaining the practice while reimagining a new home for their practice just across the street.
The opportunity came in the form of a well-known, though dated, single-storey brick building—a former Saigonese restaurant featuring a unique architectural element rarely seen in Lethbridge: a barrel-vaulted roof and solarium. While the building held local charm, it was in clear need of both an update and an expansion to accommodate the evolving needs of the dental practice.
Our role was to bring the doctors’ vision to life—transforming the existing structure into a modern facility that could meet strict dental program requirements, house new equipment, and offer improved spaces for staff. This project also allowed the doctors to rethink their workflows and enhance how they care for their patients.
Working closely with our clients and the consultant team, we developed a design that respects the original site and its prominent orientation along Mayor Magrath Drive. Limited lot space meant we had to build up, adding a second floor complete with a spacious patio. This addition gives one of Lethbridge’s busiest streets a new focal point while the patio ensures it remains approachable and in scale with the neighborhood. The patio also provides a great spot for community staff gatherings and a front-row seat to events like the iconic Street Wheelers.
Exterior materials were carefully chosen to reflect the residential character of the surrounding area. The large mono-pitched roof faces east, catching the morning sun and enhancing the physical presence of the practice to the street. Inside, the second floor features a cathedral ceiling following the roof’s slope, creating a bright and spacious environment.
The main floor houses all patient areas—reception, exam and hygiene rooms, washrooms, x-ray room, laboratory, and support rooms. The double-height reception area retains the original large windows, while interior exposed brick from the existing building is preserved and highlighted in key locations. Upstairs, staff and doctor areas benefit from the added space and natural light.