Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley, who sought to create a modern yet cozy office.
Creating an office environment primed for growth
By Mackenzie Bradley, OD, FAAO
August 6, 2025
When we opened Evergreen Eye Care in January 2025, we wanted to create more than a typical office in the suburbs of Buffalo.
After years in generic beige spaces with little personality, we saw a chance to build a practice centered on warmth, character and intention.
Our goal from the start was clear: design a space that instantly feels different and conveys the level of attention patients should expect from us.
Our inclination for hospitality comes from family roots in that industry, and it shapes everything we do. We approach eye care as more than service—we want patients to feel seen and truly comfortable from the moment they arrive. That intention guided every decision through our cold start.
A typical cold start will gross $200,000 in year one on average, and our practice is currently projected to gross around $450,000 in year one. This gross sets us closer to what a cold-start practice will gross typically in year two or three of practice. We attribute a lot of that success to our office design and aesthetic that draws patients in.
Letting Sunlight Lead the Way
After too many years in offices with no windows or natural light, we committed to making daylight a top priority. We started our floor plan with a windowed front office and kept glass walls wherever possible—for the lobby, optical and even our own office. Our space feels brighter and more energized, and patients mention the difference every single day.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley. The large windows keep the office a bright, airy space.
Creating a Modern, Welcoming Look
In our market, lots of offices still look stuck in the early 2000s. We wanted Evergreen to feel clean and modern—elevated but approachable. Our attention to detail as doctors had to be clear in the space too. To us, good design is not just about aesthetics. It’s an essential part of making the patient experience stand out.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley. The office space invites patients to explore the optical.
The Meaning Behind “Evergreen”
Our name was deliberate. “Evergreen” means fresh, adaptable and lasting. That theme shaped everything from our logo to our material choices. We leaned on soft, natural colors, wood accents and a scattering of plants and woodland touches. Patients regularly mention how much they love these details, often asking us where to buy the decor for their own homes.
Our décor does more than look good—it gets people in the door.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley. Woodland touches like this rabbit set the woodsy ambiance of the office.
Smart Spending and a Focused Build
Budget was crucial for us, as a two-doctor cold start. We chose an 1,800 square-foot location in the heart of Hamburg and completed our build out for about $390,000—roughly $216 per square foot, not including equipment or inventory. We limited expensive custom work and did much of the decorative finishing ourselves over six months. This let us maximize impact without breaking the bank.
The office includes three exam lanes. One is fully equipped for general visits, one for vision therapy and the third is reserved for future growth.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley. The design of the exam rooms in the office were given careful consideration.
How Smart Design Became a Practice Builder
Patient feedback continually tells us we made the right move. People come in after seeing our interior on social media or walking by next door at the dentist’s office. New patients not only comment on our design—they take photos and reach out for decor tips. It’s proof that space matters. Simply put, our office design has been our single biggest patient magnet so far.
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Our completed exam lane is fully virtual, with a wall-mounted screen to share images and education in real time. Patients see what we see, whether it’s healthy tissue or the effects of overwearing contacts. It’s much more effective than a verbal warning and makes our care feel collaborative.
Efficiency for Patients and Staff
We built a circular layout so every visit flows naturally from check-in to pre-testing, to the exam, and finally, to the optical area. Portable checkout systems allow our opticians to finish up right where the patient selects their frames, keeping bottlenecks to a minimum. Our optical lab location supports speedy service for our team and our patients.
Little things matter, too. A beverage station offers coffee, tea and water. Our lobby is arranged so waiting feels like a relaxing pause—not just a pit stop.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Mackenzie Bradley, who shares that the open, circular layout of the updated office has been a boon to patient experience and staff efficiency.
Expert Partners Made the Process Smoother
Karina K Studio, a design team experienced with optometry offices and cold starts, was essential. Their support, alongside iCare Advisors, ensured that every choice merged beauty with functionality.
Building for Longevity and Joy
Every feature of Evergreen Eye Care is intentional: a space that’s lasting, beautiful and functional—a place where our patients and team feel at home. Our love for hospitality and design shines through everything from the windows to the wood accents.
Of all of our start-up experiences, building—and living in—this thoughtfully designed office has meant the most.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for Evergreen Eye Care!
Read more office environment articles in Review of Optometric Business
Read more office design stories in Women in Optometry
Mackenzie Bradley, OD, FAAO, is the owner of Evergreen Eye Care. You can reach her at: dr.mackenziebradley@gmail.com
