BioLife Plasma Services, a division of Baxter International, Inc., has plasma centers located across the United States. Initial collaboration between OPN Architects and BioLife involved redesigning their existing prototype floor plan to create a larger facility. In doing this, the project team offered a new design of a larger facility with a more contemporary appearance. BioLife liked the new concept so much that OPN has designed over 30 new 15,000-square-foot plasma donation facilities located in more than 11 states.

The flagship of the BioLife facilities is the BioLife University Center for Training and Leadership Development facility located in Appleton, Wisconsin. It combines a corporate training and development center with a state-of-the-art plasma donation center.

This facility is built from brick, glass, pre-weathered zinc panels, and white metal panels. The curved forms are a response to the owner’s request that the building have a dramatic presence in its context, giving the Appleton location a distinct identity. The 25,000 sf training facility contains offices, four training rooms, a café style break room, exterior courtyard, and informal breakout areas and a supervised children’s playroom.