Positively Living is a non-profit organization located in Knoxville, TN that provides services and support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, homelessness and other chronic health conditions. The Vision Group led the interior space planning and upfit as well as the project management of a former birthing clinic that the group purchased in 2019. With a tight budget, existing furniture was utilized, and value engineering employed. A web-based survey of both patients and staff was conducted both pre and post occupancy.
The diversity in the demographic the clinic serves ranges from upper- and middle-class gay men to homeless addicts who come to the facility for needle exchange, substance abuse counseling, mental health services and transitional housing. The Vision Group led an empathy mapping session during programing to help the design team and the Choice Health leadership and staff emotionally connect with their clients. Forming an understanding of each diverse demographic, in terms of what they would hear, feel, see and do in the new clinic assisted the planning and design of the facility to achieve optimal success as was validated by the before and after research.
