Summer 2010
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The Blood Connection: Reinventing the Donation Experience
Giving blood is a personal and powerful human-to-human experience—one that relies on individual generosity and medical know-how. So when The Blood Connection, a non-profit community blood donation center with locations throughout South Carolina, came to Chute Gerdeman Retail to create a transforming experience, we were truly inspired.
Our first stop: a tour of the facility. It was there that the team realized the project was going to involve far more than raising the aesthetic of the facility. It was about reinventing the blood donation experience—acknowledging the emotions involved around giving and the rewards of being a donor.
Almost organically, the theme of "natural connectivity" developed, linking the human connection with the natural world that surrounds the donation centers. Large soaring ceilings with clerestories welcome sunlight into the space. To reinforce the nature-inspired design, large windows are used whenever possible. In the donation area, visitors are calmed by a serene view of lush gardens, at the center of which is The Giving Grove, a beautifully composed stand of trees that have been donated by community members to memorialize a loved one or to celebrate an individual gift.
Recognition is an important motivator for this community. So our designers created a large graphic focal wall, just behind the welcome desk, that celebrates donors and showcases how individuals contribute to the health of their community.
A key design factor was integrating a comfortable and welcoming aesthetic with the strict standards a medical facility requires. Materials and finishes were chosen to reflect the colors found in the lush Carolina landscape, yet meet stringent hygienic standards. Etched glass partitions behind the donor chairs soften the space and allow ample privacy without isolating adjacent areas. Each donor looks outward, enjoying a view to the garden, for a tranquil, stress-free experience.
Every touch point is considered. After donating, guests are invited into a light and airy rejuvenation area where they are refreshed with plenty of juice, water, and light snacks. The Blood Connection always remembers to thank its volunteer donors, so we added messages of gratitude throughout the space. Donor education is considered equal in importance to the actual act of giving, so we developed helpful cards with wellness tips to ensure post-donation equilibrium.
By creating a memorable, pleasant, and highly personalized experience, The Blood Connection can increase both donor satisfaction and frequency of visits. And that ensures health and wellness for all. Sharing life and connecting the human spirit—naturally.
Our first stop: a tour of the facility. It was there that the team realized the project was going to involve far more than raising the aesthetic of the facility. It was about reinventing the blood donation experience—acknowledging the emotions involved around giving and the rewards of being a donor.
Almost organically, the theme of "natural connectivity" developed, linking the human connection with the natural world that surrounds the donation centers. Large soaring ceilings with clerestories welcome sunlight into the space. To reinforce the nature-inspired design, large windows are used whenever possible. In the donation area, visitors are calmed by a serene view of lush gardens, at the center of which is The Giving Grove, a beautifully composed stand of trees that have been donated by community members to memorialize a loved one or to celebrate an individual gift. Recognition is an important motivator for this community. So our designers created a large graphic focal wall, just behind the welcome desk, that celebrates donors and showcases how individuals contribute to the health of their community.
A key design factor was integrating a comfortable and welcoming aesthetic with the strict standards a medical facility requires. Materials and finishes were chosen to reflect the colors found in the lush Carolina landscape, yet meet stringent hygienic standards. Etched glass partitions behind the donor chairs soften the space and allow ample privacy without isolating adjacent areas. Each donor looks outward, enjoying a view to the garden, for a tranquil, stress-free experience.
Every touch point is considered. After donating, guests are invited into a light and airy rejuvenation area where they are refreshed with plenty of juice, water, and light snacks. The Blood Connection always remembers to thank its volunteer donors, so we added messages of gratitude throughout the space. Donor education is considered equal in importance to the actual act of giving, so we developed helpful cards with wellness tips to ensure post-donation equilibrium.
By creating a memorable, pleasant, and highly personalized experience, The Blood Connection can increase both donor satisfaction and frequency of visits. And that ensures health and wellness for all. Sharing life and connecting the human spirit—naturally.
The Blood Connection Photography by Brandon L. Jones Photography, Inc.
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