Laya Healthcare engaged TapCreative to spearhead the design strategy and concept for three new health & wellbeing clinics in Ireland. Aligning with Laya’s strategic growth mission and brand refresh. The goal was to set a precedent for private healthcare design and amplify the brand experience.
At the heart of our mission, was the belief that every space should serve the diverse needs of all people. Acknowledging the vast spectrum of neurodiversity, we wanted to ensure we considered all needs and factor this into our design thinking. Ultimately, reimagining a clinic that goes beyond medical treatment and considers the wellbeing of their customer experience. With a future focused design ambition, TapCreative wanted to create a wholistic environment that bolstered inclusivity & diversity.
Designing for an Inclusive Future
Fit and able-bodied is a temporary status for most people. Ireland has 380k people registered with a diagnosed sensory impairment. However in the general census, data revealed that the figure may be closer to 600k accounting for undiagnosed individuals. Neurodiversity acknowledges that normal is a gray area, and focusing on labels of diagnoses is limiting. Supporting physical needs are already part of Irish building legislation. But if spaces can also adapt to individual physiological needs, than their use can be optimized and improve a persons’ overall experience.
Central to this approach was the development of our Neurodiversity Design Toolkit. This framework considers a holistic range of human experiences—audible, visual, environmental, physical, social, and cognitive—ensuring that every touchpoint within the space is thoughtful, adaptable, and intuitive.
This toolkit allowed us to review our design intent & create meaningful change in the buildings design. From initial floorplans and customer mission mapping all the way to door types, furniture & signage. Every decision has been steered by our toolkit to create a more intuitive, predictable & calming environment. These wholistically designed clinics are beautiful to be in, reduce unnecessary environmental stressors & accurately represent the Laya brand.
Working alongside Laya, Alliance Medical, HPA Architects, and other key collaborators, we crafted three flagship clinics that epitomize this vision. Located in Dublin and Cork, these spaces are not just buildings, but immersive experiences designed to empower users. From autism-friendly zones and tactile wayfinding cues to the calming geometry of the interiors, every detail has been meticulously considered to reduce cognitive load and enhance wellbeing.
Healthcare Environment Design
Recognizing that the primary users of the Laya clinics may be in physical or neurological discomfort. Our fundamental design concept was to create an uplifting space that supported patients recovery and create an environment that felt clean, comforting & intuitive.
We did this by using anti-glare lighting, acoustic dampening, comfortable seating with armrests and dividers to increase privacy. Waiting areas were designed with different seating types, zones & even a quiet room to provide customers with choice.
Key to creating a great customer experience was intuitive navigation to services. As a team we reduced the complexity of customer journeys and increased as much visibility into spaces by using a combination of service colour blocking, floor zoning & bespoke wall art. We created recognisable destinations for patients to navigate between.
A branded wayfinding system was also designed and implemented to further aid navigation. From high-level suspended signage to eye-level directories, we designed a high contrast tactile signage system that worked alongside the clinic operations in order to achieve a seamless experience for the customer. It enables customers navigate the space with ease and eliminates a feeling of confusion or further stress.
Interweaving Brand DNA
Bringing the brand to life in the space was critical to the overall design. We had to keep in mind the brand DNA – ‘Powerful Momentum’, which is a reflection of the energy, positivity and determination to become a positive force for change in their members lives; creating better outcomes and paving the way to live life to the full.
Inspired by the brand identity, we embraced the curved shapes that feature within the logo type. This informed our wonderful curved biophilic details that appear throughout the space on feature walls, joinery and wayfinding.
We integrated as much curved & biophilic elements as possible to create a calm atmosphere. Wood effect flooring, joinery & dividers to increase the natural tones.
Together with Laya Healthcare, we aim to challenge the status quo, setting new standards in healthcare environments that truly support individuals on their path to wellness. We have created spaces that are not just accessible, but empowering—spaces that offer choice, comfort, and care in equal measure.
