ForeFront Eyecare, Boston
Eyecare practice ForeFront Eye Care (formerly Korb & Associates; Boston), recently relocated from a basement-level office in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood to a newly renovated 5,090-square-foot space in the city’s downtown.
The move, completed in June 2024, coincided with the group’s rebranding and a shift toward a more accessible and patient-forward model of care.
The new facility, designed to modernize the practice’s infrastructure and enhance both patient and staff experience, includes a street-level retail and reception area, exam and lab spaces, and a mezzanine level for staff offices and lounge areas.
Designing to improve patient flow
The design team, including architecture and interior design firm Hacin (Boston), was tasked with creating an environment that balances clinical function with a sense of calm, aiming to improve patient flow while expressing the practice’s focus on wellness and specialty care.
A key design goal was to establish a more open and welcoming setting. To that end, the layout features a double-height atrium at the entrance and a curved stair that leads to the upper-level clinical spaces.
Throughout, materials and finishes—such as natural wood, muted green and gray tones, and rounded forms—help convey a spa-like atmosphere. Visual references to eyeglass forms, including circular lighting, custom millwork shaped like an eyeglass temple, and curved partitions, echo the practice’s clinical focus.
Repurposing retail space into healthcare facilities
The new location also supports upgraded exam technology and increased operational flexibility.
Situated in a previously vacant retail space, the project provides a more visible presence for the longstanding practice while contributing to the revitalization of a downtown corridor.
Forefront Eye Care project details
Location: Boston
Completion date: August 2024
Owner: ForeFront Eye Care
Total building area: 5,100 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: Not disclosed
Cost/sq. ft.: Not disclosed
Architect: Hacin
Interior designer: Hacin
General contractor: Corderman & Co.
Engineer: C3
Lighting consultant: Sladen Feinstein
Millwork: Davis Architectural Woodworking
Carpet/flooring: Ceramiche Piemme, supplied by Division9 (retail area), Cobalt Surfaces (exam room and corridors)
Ceiling/wall systems: Armstrong
Doors/locks/hardware: VT Industries (doors), Assa Abloy (locks and hardware)
Fabric/textiles: Carnegie
Furniture—seating/casegoods: Interior Define
Handrails/wall guards: Davis Architectural Woodworking, Stair Warehouse, Construction Specialties
Lighting: Artemide, WAC Lighting, Alphabet, Zaneen, Moda Light, WAC Lighting, Kuzco
Surfaces—solid/other: Caeserstone, Wilsonart, Davis Architectural Woodworking, Alpi
Wallcoverings: Sanfoot
Project details are provided by the design team and not vetted by Healthcare Design.
