Provide a Natural Setting for Healthcare
Planning and design of the facility was driven by not only operational efficiency, but also patient experience and staff friendliness. The projects natural setting affords views of dense tree-scapes and colorful vegetation; and patient and family areas are located to take advantage of these views. Large areas of glass allow the diffusion of natural light into the facility, providing a connection to nature for patients, visitors, and staff. From initial approach to the building programming all the way into specific clinical zones, the Cancer Care Institute constantly creates connections to the natural world in an effort to ease patient fears and contribute to staff satisfaction. On the interior of the building, groves of bamboo trees in the main public areas complement the natural materials palette of stone and wood. Four large skylights and large areas of light colored surfaces that reflect light maximize the diffusion of sunlight into the facility. Public areas are situated to maximize the view of the landscape and planting as well as take advantage of privacy afforded by heavy vegetation.
Roof Garden/Views
Access to views of nature and sunlight have been shown to alleviate stress and to calm patients during treatment, encouraging a faster and more comfortable healing process. Large mullion-less expanses of glass along the south side provide views to the trees beyond and allow sunlight to infiltrate the space; while an immediate connection to the roof garden allows patients to disassociate themselves from the medical process.
3Form Seaweed Architectural Glass
The glass surrounding each infusion bay has been designed to accommodate both patient and staff needs. The glass on three sides of each bay is of a density that promotes both privacy and connectivity. The grass is dense enough to provide seclusion for the patient, preventing a feeling of intrusion by neighbors and their guests; but also transparent enough that the patients connection with others is not entirely lost. The glass at each nurse station is of a lesser density, maintaining the continuity of the design and allowing greater visibility between nurse and patient. The color and texture of the seaweed glass reinforces the connection to nature and assists in blurring the line between the outside and inside.
Cloud Ceiling Panels
The individual curved ceiling panels not only reinforce the patients sense of individual space, but also create visual interest. The ceiling panels differentiate the experience of the space from other experiences throughout the rest of the building and allow for optimal efficiency of ceiling elements such as task lighting and individual patient heating elements.
Buddy Bay Wall: Shizen-KAI
The Japanese word “Shizen” pronounced she-zen means natural beauty. KAI pronounced k means seashell. Combing the natural textures of soil, sand, stone, and sea shells with an extremely low VOC, eco-friendly, acrylic solution, Shizen-Kai provides a natural pearl-like glittering texture finish with outstanding hardness and a strong resistance to mold and mildew while actively trapping and disintegrating VOCs in the air.
Feature Wall/Mantel
The feature wall is the major connective element within the building. Through the use of natural materials such as quartzite stone, bamboo veneer and architectural elements such as skylights, the wall creates a visual connection between the ground and the sky and a relationship between nature and the architecture of the building. Visually the wall serves as a focal point for the major public spaces in the building, creating a unified atmosphere. The Black Walnut mantel was created by George Nakashima Woodworker. Born in 1905 George Nakashima was educated as an architect with a Bachelors Degree from the University of Washington and a Masters Degree from MIT.
Radiation Oncology Waiting Fireplace
The fireplace and mantle are reminiscent of the main feature wall. By incorporating natural quartzite stone and a George Nakashima black walnut mantle piece, the fireplace continues the language of natural materials established by the lobby feature wall and reflected throughout the building. The inclusion of a hearth in the main waiting area provides a focal point for the space within a comforting atmosphere.
Bamboo Trees
The Palm Bamboo trees speak to the sustainable concept of the building. These trees are regarded as a renewable resource because of their ability to re-grow in a very short time and replenish themselves. These trees will grow to approximately 16 to 18 feet in height and will be green year round. The placement of each planter allows nature to move through the main public space of the building from the front entrance to the back garden.