The Sheltering Arms Institute put forward a design constraint that was perfectly aligned with the concept of philanthropic placemaking. They required that all donor recognition contribute the the therapeutic nature of the facility. The overhead sculpture helps with physical orientation and relating mapped element into an architectural space. Storytelling on the area naming helps with the processing of written information and recall. Color coding helps with pattern recognition. Heurista had never been asked to integrate rehabilitation therapies into our work but we were pleased with the request and the client was thrilled with the outcome!

The tree logo of the Sheltering Arms Institute alludes to a story documented by the foundation, wherein the community is represented by the roots of a tree providing the strength and support needed by the patients to grow and thrive after a traumatic illness or imagery. This motif became the theme of the campaign recognition sculpture and is coordinated with all other signage in the building.

From the earliest stages of the building’s design, there’d been a desire to draw attention to the verticality of the prominent, all-glass atrium at the entrance. Referred to as “the Beacon,” the four-story atrium serves as a focal point and is visible from the highway and the approach to the new facility. In conversation with the foundation, Heurista recognized a unique and exciting opportunity – to combine a visually dynamic hanging sculpture with recognition of the campaign donors.

The donor recognition sculpture includes two illuminated components, one pointing up and one down, to create a column of light when viewed from the outside of the building. As mirrored shapes, the top floor unit alludes to rising movement, growth, and the power to overcome while the unit in the main entrance lobby extends downward to show the roots of the community where every single donor to the capital campaign is recognized on the faces of the “roots”.

Sheltering Arms celebrated the opening of The Bridge Garden, an outdoor space beautifully curated to provide a venue for patients and their loved ones to spend quality time, as well as to incorporate the benefits of fresh air and the outdoors into therapeutic practices. Heurista was contracted to continue our on-going partnership with the Sheltering Arms Foundation by designing and implementing an exterior area naming program for the Bridge Garden. A centralized map element was planned to provide an overview of landscaping elements and gifts given in support of the Bridge Garden. The map also serves as a therapeutic tool used in patient care. The central map utilizes several methods of visual association that are well-documented wayfinding strategies in medical facilities and other public spaces to diversify communication and accessibility to the signage. Each area to be identified was assigned a number, a color, and a shape. This iconography then was used on the individual area naming signs to associate them with the centralized map. The design of the area naming signs ties in closely with the visual brand of Sheltering Arms in both the shape, and color.

The area naming sign program uses a hierarchy of sign sizes with content to convey the motivations for giving to those who frequent the building. The design elements relate to the logo, sculpture, wayfinding and decorative environmental graphics. Heurista has translated the area naming sign program for both interior and exterior use.