Pratham Blood Donation Center,
designed by Matharoo Associates
In 2001, the Prathama Blood Donation Center opened in Ahmedabad, India , setting new standards in medical facility design. The project was designed by the Matharoo Associates office, which undertook the task of creating a space that combines functionality with openness and a social mission. The name "Prathama" means "first" or "pioneering" - which perfectly reflects the nature of the place as the first center in India to address the needs of blood donation in such a comprehensive way.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates - general view of the building showing its flowing, curved form embedded in the surrounding landscape
© Matharoo Associates
the birth of the idea and the challenges of the location
The story of the Pratham Blood Donation Center begins with a 1998 architectural competition that set the task of creating a new model for a medical facility dedicated to blood collection. The organizers, the Advanced Transfusion Medical Research Foundation, set an ambitious goal - the building was to be the first of its kind in India that would be both professional, donor-accessible and economical to maintain. The site on which the building was to be constructed was a modest corner plot donated by the Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad. The lack of distinctive contextual features required the designers to create a building with a clear, self-contained identity, which at the same time would fit harmoniously into its surroundings.
An important aspect was also to break down social barriers - blood donation in India, as in many other countries, is not always fully trusted, and a visit to a medical facility can cause anxiety. Therefore, the design had to combine functionality with openness and transparency, eliminating feelings of distance and alienation.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates - the facade was made of raw concrete
© Matharoo Associates
space as a medium of communication
and transparency
The design is based on a clear, rational spatial layout, which was developed in stages, giving a coherent and legible composition. The exterior facade, described by the architects as the "skin" of the building, presents itself as an expression of simplicity and unity of form. However, once the threshold is crossed, this uniformity gives way to clearly defined subspaces that seamlessly lead the user deeper into the building. A glazed atrium four stories high provides a communicative and representative space. It is a kind of visual buffer, allowing one to observe in real time the progress of all processes involved in blood collection and processing.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates - building plan (ground and first floor)
© Matharoo Associates
rawness of concrete, precision of form
The lump of the building attracts attention with its modernist form, which is dominated by soft, undulating lines and clear scale, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Made of concrete, the facade exposes the raw texture. The curved walls, cut by vertical incisions, create a dynamic play of light and shadow, emphasized by sparing details - narrow, precisely placed window openings. The building's floor plan is distinguished by soft. curved lines that create a coherent structure.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates
© Matharoo Associates
materials and technologies
- conscious management of costs and resources
The project was implemented while respecting financial constraints and local feasibility. All building and equipment elements - doors, windows, modular furniture, workstations or door handles - were individually designed and locally manufactured, significantly reducing costs without compromising quality or aesthetics.
The building was constructed with durability and simplicity of maintenance in mind. Precast concrete elements, lightweight acoustic panels and the use of reclaimed wood for formwork are examples of ecological and practical solutions. The building is also equipped with a rainwater collection and management system, which is channeled into a natural body of water - a self-sustaining ecosystem with fish and water lilies. Such solutions underscore the architecture's harmonious relationship with its surroundings and the natural environment.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates - the building is equipped with a rainwater collection and management system, which is directed to a natural water body
© Matharoo Associates
equipment tailored to users' needs
The designers succeeded in accomplishing a full range of tasks, including not only the body and space itself, but also specialized equipment. Ergonomic, fully automatic donor chairs, hot and cold water dispensers, blood storage and identification systems, and even movable ladders for glass cleaning were all designed with functionality and comfort in mind.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates - interior of the facility.
© Matharoo Associates
architecture as a tool for social change
The building is proof that architecture can play a role far beyond a purely utilitarian function. The project is a testament to social and cultural responsibility, demonstrating how thoughtful space can change attitudes and facilitate a connection between the institution and its users. In Indian conditions, where distrust of medical facilities is sometimes a barrier, such a facility helps break down that barrier. The transparency, openness and accessibility of the space create an environment that encourages participation and supports the idea of blood donation. Importantly, this has been achieved within a very limited budget.
Indian blood donation center from Matharoo Associates
© Matharoo Associates
Modernity doesn't have to cost money - proof from Ahmedabad
The Pratham Blood Donation Center in Ahmedabad is a project that combines functionality, modern technology, environmental care and social aspects into a coherent and thoughtful whole. Completing the project in less than a year and keeping costs under $200 per square meter proves that it is possible to create a high-quality public facility, even on a limited budget. It is a place that not only fulfills its medical purpose, but becomes a space for education and social integration, showing that architecture can be a catalyst for change not only in space, but also in mentality.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Matharoo Associates.
