Orthodontics meets design
WORDS Liam Stretch PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands
Antoun | Nichols Orthodontics has completed a new purpose-designed clinic in Prebbleton, expanding specialist orthodontic care across southwest Christchurch.
Founded in Halswell in 2016, the practice has since cared for families across Halswell, Wigram, and the surrounding communities, and now also operates a clinic in Merivale.
Over that time, the southwest has grown and evolved, with increasing numbers of young families settling across Prebbleton, Rolleston, Lincoln, and the wider Selwyn region. Establishing a clinic in Prebbleton was a natural extension of the practice’s long-standing presence in the area – allowing it to continue to serve existing patients while improving access for families across the southwest corridor.
With its village atmosphere and central location, Prebbleton complements the original Halswell clinic, keeping long-standing patients supported while positioning the practice close to where many current and future families live.
“We saw it not just as a location, but as a long-term home – a place where we can grow alongside the families
we care for,” says Dr Grace Nichols, co-owner and Specialist Orthodontist.
That sense of permanence shaped the property search. Location, access, and longevity were key, alongside creating a calm arrival experience with clear entry and easy parking.
The chosen building offered high ceilings, strong natural light, and an open shell, allowing the clinic to be designed from the inside out with flexibility for future growth. Design firm SemiCreative was selected, having worked with Antoun | Nichols Orthodontics on previous projects.
“We chose SemiCreative for the third consecutive project because their approach aligns with how we think about design – thoughtful, restrained, and grounded in function, with an emphasis on minimalist aesthetics,” says Dr Joseph Antoun, co-owner and Specialist Orthodontist.
Clarity, proportion, and purpose sit at the heart of the space, ensuring every detail serves a function and visual noise is minimised so the focus remains on patients and families. With no internal walls, the clinic became a blank canvas. Patient flow, spatial relationships, light, materials, and atmosphere were all carefully considered – even
power outlets were concealed within custom cabinetry to keep walls uninterrupted.
“Every millimetre was considered for how the clinic needed to function, balancing surgical precision with calming design,” says SemiCreative Creative Director James Irvine.
Woodsmith Builders led construction, using timber as an architectural element rather than simple decoration.
Joe notes that the team at Woodsmith brought strong craftsmanship and an understanding of the precision required, while designer James adds their patience and attention to detail were vital to achieving the clean execution the project demanded.
“Wood was important because it softens the clinical environment. Orthodontics can feel unfamiliar or intimidating, particularly for children, and we wanted the space to be calm and reassuring from the moment you walk in,” says Joe.
This was the second project Woodsmith Builders has completed with both SemiCreative and Antoun | Nichols Orthodontics, and Jeremy Smith of Woodsmith Builders says they were united in the desired outcome for the space. “It was great to see that vision align,” says Jeremy.
Key design elements include seamless oak panelling guiding movement, gentle curves echoing balanced smiles, skylights flooding the hallway with light, and bespoke cabinetry integrating clinical equipment for streamlined workflows. The result is a restorative, spa-like space that reshapes expectations of an orthodontic visit.
With the project complete, Grace says the team is excited to serve the growing community.
“We see this as part of a longer journey rather than a finished moment – one that evolves with southwest Christchurch and Selwyn, and with the community we care for.”