Should a Clinic Be Inside a Plaza/Mall or in a Standalone Building?
Why is building type an important decision for a clinic?
A clinic can open in a plaza, a mall or a standalone building; each offers a different entrance experience, different infrastructure flexibility and different brand visibility.
Clinic building type is therefore chosen not only based on rent, but also based on the targeted patient profile and brand goal.
What is the difference between the three building types?
The table below compares the three building types.
| Feature | Plaza | Mall | Standalone building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance experience | Shared with neighboring offices | Like a storefront, open to foot traffic | Entirely its own facade |
| Infrastructure flexibility | Existing infrastructure can be used | Existing infrastructure can be used | Built from scratch |
| Brand visibility | Limited, shared signage | Moderate, depends on mall wayfinding | High, its own signage |
| Patient profile | Business-center dense | Family-medicine focused | Broad, depends on the brand |
Why does a standalone building require infrastructure from scratch?
Since a standalone building has no existing medical infrastructure, the entire sterilization and infrastructure must be built from scratch; this increases both cost and construction time, but offers a more flexible layout in the long run.
The building type also affects the licensing process; in a standalone building, all physical conditions must be documented from scratch.
Which building type suits which clinic better?
For a clinic wanting to grow its own brand with a large patient capacity, a standalone building usually offers more suitable ground; for a clinic wanting to open quickly on a limited budget, a plaza or mall with existing infrastructure can be more practical.
Umut GÜRLER is an interior architect and a graduate of Çankaya University Interior Architecture; he has worked since 2009 (more than 17 years) on villa, apartment, office and clinic interiors in Ankara, and his office is in Cepa Ofis Kule. The example in this article comes from a clinic project he has completed.
Frequently asked questions about building type for a clinic
What is the disadvantage of a clinic inside a plaza?
The entrance is shared with neighboring offices and brand visibility is limited.
Which patient profile suits a clinic inside a mall?
It suits a family-medicine-focused patient profile that benefits from foot traffic.
Why is infrastructure more costly in a standalone building?
Since there is no existing medical infrastructure, all infrastructure is built from scratch.
Does building type affect the licensing process?
Yes, in a standalone building all physical conditions must be documented from scratch.
Which building type is best for every clinic?
There is no single right answer; the choice depends on patient capacity and brand goal.
