CBS Plasma Donor Centre Program

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) manages the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products that include plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues for Canada’s healthcare systems. The organization realized a need to establish plasma-only donation centers to support life-saving therapies and treatments made from plasma-derived protein products. The vision was to design community-based plasma donor centres that are social, engaging and welcoming environments to redefine the donor experience

NORR designed three initial plasma donor centres within local retail locations as a proof of concept. The success of the pilot led to the expansion of the program to shopping areas in the hubs of cities across Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Each location begins with an assessment and feasibility study to achieve the defined goals of the program. The centres are designed around a social and recovery zone that overlooks the plasma collection area. The collection area features donor-centric pod clusters, which are strategically arranged in groups to foster social engagement while donating. Sight lines achieve clear visualization and connection between staff and donors. The design embraces openness and natural light featuring bright and engaging accents which are contrasted by warm, natural elements such as a wood slat ceiling that emphasizes the principal spaces of the Centres central to the design vision. Elements of universal design, such as accessibility, and consideration of CBS’s DEI values, such as reflection rooms, are incorporated into all centres.

Back of house service spaces consider protocols in plasma operations, carefully designed to house an optimized processing area and supply rooms to support the storage and movement of plasma for further distribution and processing. The integration of mechanical and electrical engineering systems were designed to accommodate patient comfort and future adaptability, with redundant HVAC in critical spaces for processing and storage of product and supplies.