The design of the new outpatient care facility at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis was inspired by IKEA, Apple and Starbucks, according to an article on the Quartz website.
The University of Minnesota Ambulatory Care Center looked to IKEA’s philosophy of determining the price tag first, then designing the product’s specifications to meet that price point.
And like the check out system at Apple’s retail stores, powered by mobile devices, greeters will meet patients as they enter and check them in using tablets. Because transactions can be done via tablets, the building has no reception desks nor dedicated check-in/check-out counters.
The look of the facility was inspired by the cozy vibe of Starbucks cafés with comfortable seating with lounges and chairs and coffee bars.
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