The newly upgraded lobby at 85 South Maple Ave. in Ridgewood — Courtesy: Poskanzer Skott Architects
By Joshua Burd
A Ridgewood medical practice has completed a renovation and expansion of its office, following a project designed by locally based Poskanzer Skott Architects.
The client, Ridgewood Orthopedic Group LLC, now occupies the entire 11,700-square-foot building at 85 South Maple Ave. in Ridgewood, the architecture firm said in a news release. The renovation marked the final phase of its expansion.
“Ridgewood Orthopedics has grown into the building in stages,” Barry Poskanzer, partner in the Ridgewood-based design and planning firm, said in a prepared statement. “We completed two smaller renovations that were aligned with their vision to create a modern, patient-friendly environment that would accommodate future growth. This is the final step in that process.”
Also known as ROG, the medical group is a full-service orthopedic practice specializing in technologically advanced medical care for conditions that involve sports medicine, back and neck ailments, arthritis and bone fractures, the news release said. When ROG purchased the building four years ago, it leased part of the second floor to the prior owners with the understanding that it would be temporary.
“We planned to expand our team of physicians and add support staff,” Practice Administrator Teresa Leidner said. “As the practice grew, we needed more space in order to provide the high standard of patient service that is our core focus.”
The renovations include a newly designed lobby and patient waiting area in the second floor, featuring glass walls and distinct check-in and check-out areas for enhanced efficiency and privacy, Poskanzer Skott said. Additional exam rooms and specialty rooms for imaging and casting allow physicians to see more patients each day.
The firm’s design also incorporates workspaces for the 40-member clinical and administrative team, a private office suite for doctors and much-needed storage space. Leidner said the business office is now hidden from view and a new call center handles patient appointments, enabling the reception staff to give patients their full attention.
The design firm worked in partnership with JRB Construction to complete the project in phases to allow uninterrupted patient care during construction.
“Health care projects frequently involve the challenge of shifting work from one occupied area to another,” Poskanzer noted. “In this case, the vacant portion of the second floor was renovated before work began in the existing office. Ridgewood Orthopedics was then able to serve patients in the expansion while the existing space was updated.”