MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - It's not unusual to see doctors take over old houses and convert them into their offices, but a Lansing Dentist decided to move his practice to a more unique location.

On the outside, the project looks complete. But on the inside, renovations are still ongoing.

"We removed everything, we power-washed just because of all the straw, and there were squirrels in there," said Brian Vernon, Job Foreman for Perrin Construction Co.

This barn and the two and a half acre property it sits on are about to become the site of Smile Lansing Dentistry, after its old home was bought out by Sparrow Hospital.

"It was sort of forced by necessity, but I think it's turned out to be a nice opportunity and Sparrow Hospital has been very user-friendly in the process," said Douglas Hinterman, DDS at SmileLansing.

Converting the barn into his office may not have been Dr. Hinterman's first idea, but the more he thought about it, the more he saw the possibilities.

"I thought I would build something brand-new in the middle of the two-and-a-half acres," Dr. Hinterman said. "But I looked at the structure of it to see if it was useful, I went over the possible floor plans with our designer and our architect and it just kept making more and more sense."

One of the most important aspects of this project for Dr. Hinterman was to maintain that classic barn feel. This includes building walls with the type of wood one would normally see inside a barn.

"This was a chance to preserve history," said Dr. Hinterman.

And Dr. Hinterman's favorite part of the project?

"I think it's just going to be a healthy, fun work environment for myself and my staff, as well as a very unique place for patients to visit," said Dr. Hinterman.

Construction is expected to last one more month, and Dr. Hinterman said he hopes to be in his new office by Thanksgiving, if not earlier.