Melbourne Breast Unit
Commercial Fitout | Medical Fitout | East Melbourne
Project Duration
Project Brief
DAME Build completed a focused medical fitout for the Melbourne Breast Unit, transforming key areas of the 295 sqm clinic. The project aimed not to overhaul the entire practice but to elevate comfort, clarity, and function, enhancing both staff experience and patient comfort within a tight, three-week deadline.
Client Brief
The client commissioned DAME Build to update and reorganise the Melbourne Breast Unit to create a more modern, functional, and welcoming clinic. The scope included reworking the layout to accommodate a larger staff room, refreshing key public areas such as the reception and entry, and ensuring the overall space felt cohesive.
Before
Design Stage
During the design stage the goal was to gently refresh the space without straying too far from what the team and patients already knew and loved. We worked with the existing soft grey palette and focused on smart upgrades that would make the clinic feel brighter, warmer, and more cohesive. Simple touches like new lighting and LED strips, and an expanded staff room with a proper kitchen, can make a big difference in how the space functions day to day. By choosing the right finishes, we were able to keep everything feeling seamless while still giving the clinic a clean, updated look.
Structural Work
Construction began with targeted demolition to clear the footprint for the new staff room. This included removing the existing toilet and storage room, removing the old kitchen, and closing off the original bathroom doorway while keeping the former storage entry as a convenient secondary access point. Plumbing points were relocated to accommodate the revised kitchenette layout, and electrical and plumbing adjustments were made to support new appliances, pendant lighting, and consistent LED strip lighting at reception. Each structural change was executed to enhance functionality.
Reception Area Renovation
The reception area has been enhanced to convey professionalism and comfort, featuring new pendant lighting from Beacon Lighting that adds warmth and clarity. The LED strip lights beneath the desk have been replaced for a seamless, uniform colour temperature. Behind the reception desk, modern signage reinforces branding and serves as a strong visual focal point for arriving patients. Additionally, a compact refreshment nook with a curved benchtop adds a welcoming touch to the arrival experience while providing extra concealed storage.
Entrance has been upgraded with fresh branding and frosted film applied to the door and surrounding glass panels, enhancing the clinic's identity while providing subtle privacy. A new black pull handle from Bunnings Warehouse has been installed to modernise the exterior and unify the design language between the outside and inside. These improvements create a cleaner and more purposeful entry sequence that blends professionalism with understated elegance.
Staff Room Renovation
The staff room has been completely transformed into a space that feels both practical and genuinely relaxing. The new kitchenette features Laminex Oyster Grey cabinetry, Alpine Snow stone benchtops, an integrated bin system, a new sink, mixer, and dishwasher, paired with a custom table in matching finishes.
To complete the space, Vogue Range Plastic Seats from DAME Furniture were added for their comfort, durability, and clean design, which blend seamlessly with the updated palette. Altogether, the room now functions as a true retreat where staff can take breaks, reset between consultations, or hold informal meetings in comfort.
Consulting Room Renovation
Inside the consulting/surgery room DAME Furniture made a custom open cabinet featuring adjustable shelves for efficient storage of medical supplies. Its doorless design allows for quick access during clinical procedures while maintaining clean lines and practical durability.
The Results
DAME Build successfully enhanced the Melbourne Breast Unit in just three weeks, improving workflow, presentation, and staff amenities. What began as a simple project to “uplift the space a little” evolved into a thoughtful transformation that supports both staff workflow and patient experience.
The reception now presents a polished, welcoming first impression with cohesive lighting and refined signage, while the staff room is finally comfortable, functional, and built for real breaks. The result is a balanced, functional environment that demonstrates how selective interventions can significantly improve a clinical space without a complete renovation.
Products Used
DAME Furniture Vogue Range Plastic Seat & Back, White with Grey Sled Frame: A stylish, durable seating used in the staff room. Its clean lines and simple design make it a perfect fit for modern environments.
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Hear From Melbourne Breast Unit
I'd like to highly recommend Dahlia and her awesome team. Amazing designs, fast, efficient, thorough and such a smooth process. DAME Build were so lovely and easy to deal with they actually made the process of renovating a joy.
Dr. Su-Wen Loh
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