Cove
Cove is a conceptual family of chairs designed to provide support and comfort to chemotherapy patients. Featuring customizable elements such as privacy panels, lighting, temperature control, and reclining, Cove ensures a tailored experience to each patient’s unique needs. Additionally, Cove offers a companion seat model that allows a support person to sit comfortably alongside the patient during treatment sessions.
Inspired by loved ones going through chemotherapy, a team of diverse designers worked together to redefine the perception of treatment chairs. Drawing inspiration from the forms, colors, and finishes commonly found in upscale home furnishings and premium airplane cabins, Cove sets a new standard for comfort and aesthetics in medical seating.
The Idea
Cove was sparked by a colleague who recently underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy. They asked a bold question that really inspired us. ‘Suppose chemotherapy is genuinely a therapy – something that is meant to better one’s health. Why can’t the experience reflect other types of therapies that one may choose, like a spa treatment?’
With that guiding principle, we started to apply the design process to better understand opportunities and user needs. By conducting stakeholder interviews and desktop research, we learned chairs currently used for chemotherapy infusions tend to be utilitarian, meant to serve a wide variety of clinical needs, including infusions, maternity wards, and dialysis.
Meaningful Refinements
Through the conceptual nature of this project, we could focus on the specific needs of chemotherapy patients, their support persons, and nurses while also making sure to follow ergonomic guidelines. We began to develop architectures based on themes derived from our stakeholder interviews.
With three conceptual architectures established, we returned to our stakeholders to gain their feedback and ultimately combined the most vital elements of each Architecture into one fully realized idea, which we call Cove.
First-class Comfort
Cove is a revolutionary conceptual line of chairs meticulously designed to enhance the comfort and well-being of chemotherapy patients. Each chair has customizable features, including privacy panels, adjustable lighting, temperature control, and reclining capabilities, offering a personalized experience to cater to individual needs. Through form and finishes, we looked to challenge the utilitarian aesthetic currently applied to treatment chairs. We drew inspiration from consumer-facing markets, including home furnishings and first-class air cabins.
These elements can be seen in the lifted stance of the chair, pushing it away from the monolithic forms of a standard recliner. The privacy panels with integrated reading lights reflect first-class travel and high-end lobby furnishings. The work surface lamp and pleated cushions bring in a touch of home while being easy to wipe clean. The wrapping forms of the head and armrests create a sense of being embraced while feeling robust and trustworthy.
