Call Us: 267-639-6250
Vince Rinicella, center, recently toured Special Smiles’ new facilities (currently under construction) with (from left) interior designer Cassandra Kimnach, consultant Meghan Pizzica, Special Smiles Founder Dr. Mark Goldstein, and Chief Operating Officer Steve Zuccarini. The space is designed to be calming for all.
Vince Rinicella, a young man with non-speaking autism, had never been asked to review an interior design plan. Interior designer Cassandra Kimnach had never had one of her projects reviewed by a person with special needs.
At the suggestion of Special Smiles Founder Dr. Mark Goldstein, Vince and Cassandra met recently in the space that will become the dental facility’s new home. Special Smiles is in the process of building out a new, larger, space one floor below the current location at 2301 Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia.
Much has been learned in recent years about making spaces calming and comfortable for people on the autism spectrum. Cassandra drew upon that knowledge in creating her designs, which feature nature imagery with soft blues and greens. The photo below shows samples of the materials she selected for various surfaces.
“When Dr. Mark asked me if someone with a disability could come take a look at my design for Special Smiles and possibly provide some input, I thought it was a great idea and immediately said yes,” Cassandra recalls.
They made a date with Vince, who originally learned to communicate using a letterboard to spell words but has since progressed to communicating fully with a keyboard that speaks through an iPad.
Dr. Goldstein wanted the new space to “not feel like a dental office.” Despite the fact there are no windows in the space, they agreed on a nature-based theme that would “bring the outside in.”
Each waiting room will have a huge wall mural that looks like trees. A virtual fish tank will look like the real thing thanks to a looping video of fish swimming and corals swaying. A lens over the ceiling lights will make the entire ceiling look like a blue sky with puffy white clouds.
Vince was enthusiastic about the effort to provide a calming environment. “The design of this office is very important for the patients that come who may experience anxiety when visiting,” Vince said. “I was honored to have been asked to give insight and provide my ideas for how to make this office friendly to those with disabilities. It was both rewarding and necessary for our community. I am so grateful to have been asked to contribute.”
Cassandra said, “Watching Vince consider each element of the design and comment on it was an amazing experience. It was such a privilege to present to him and get his feedback on what fish imagery he liked and what special features and colors of the design he responded to.”
The new offices are expected to open in Spring 2023.
