Parisian Chic Meets Spa Serenity at a Boutique Dental Clinic in New York

Named for the Sanskrit word for balance, equilibrium, and mental calmness, Sama is part wellness centre, part dental clinic, and all intimate boutique experience. Joining the Flatiron District’s burgeoning innovative wellness scene last month, Sama’s offerings range from high-tech dental treatments and oral health microbiome testing to Botox and fillers to facials and an infrared sauna lounge. While undergoing procedures, patients can opt for options from the comfort menu, which includes noise-cancelling headphones, a massage chair, essential oils and undereye patches. To embody Sama’s attention to detail and comfort, Dr. Jaskaren Randhawa enlisted New York design firm Ringo Studio, who transformed the clinic’s nearly 3,300 square feet of interiors into a warm and mellow retreat. “Sama is a testament to Ringo Studio’s mission to elevate everyday environments through extraordinary interiors that nurture and inspire,” says Ringo Studio founder and creative director Madelynn Ringo.

Before founding her studio, Ringo served as buzzy beauty brand Glossier’s in-house creative lead on retail experience and was head of studio design for New York wellness clinic Modern Age. So taking on a boutique wellness-focused dental clinic was right up Ringo’s alley, and she deftly imbues her characteristic whimsey and curving architectural features into Sama. “Changing people’s perspectives about what can be beautiful, not simply operational, is one of the most compelling aspects of my work,” Ringo says. “Experience without exclusivity is the ultimate aspiration.”

At Sama, the interiors are relaxed, peaceful, and homey—Ringo sought to blend the laidback chic of a Parisian apartment with the tranquillity of a spa, while incorporating elements of nature, which was important to Sama. “Our approach transforms the conventional into the extraordinary, creating spaces that are immersive, otherworldly, and unlike anything you’d expect—especially in the realm of oral health,” Ringo says.

Guests enter through a sculptural vestibule, transporting them from the bustling streets of New York’s Flatiron District into an urban oasis. Natural stone mosaic flooring in browns and greys leads into the reception, where it meets with warm oak flooring in curving volumes. Here, five tall windows are framed by arched colonnades and trimmed with wood, letting in views of West 22nd Street below.

A custom white reception desk, supported by four tightly packed irregular columns, is inspired by teeth, and an inviting waiting area includes an oversized green sofa and a contemporary armchair. Illuminated by recessed perimeter lighting, an asymmetrical lemniscate cut-out in the wall is filled with wood shelves holding products sculptures and plants, which are found throughout the space including a potted tree whose top leaves nearly reach the ceiling.

A collage of ceiling medallions in various sizes adorns the ceiling, a contemporary interpretation of the traditional architectural feature. While most stand alone, a few of the medallions frame spotlights and a pendant with a graceful shade hangs from one over the waiting area. Throughout, the walls are treated to warm white paint or a sage green limewash.

A hallway with arched doorframes and half-globe sconces leads to Sama’s equally elegant consult and treatment rooms. In each, the attention to detail continues, with contemporary wall moulding, built-in shelves, and whimsical sinks. Throughout, each element is soft and relaxing, contrasting the alarmingly bright and cold clinical experience of the dentist. “This is not your typical dental office,” Ringo says. “It’s a serene sanctuary where design meets wellness in a truly unique way.”

Photographs by Anna Morgowicz/Esto.

SHARE