NYC cancer centre focuses on patient dignity
The new home of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and new MSKCC Imaging Center, located a few blocks from the main MSKCC hospital campus, was envisioned as a world-class destination for ambulatory patients seeking the unique combination of a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment platform designed within a hospitality-like setting.
Perkins Eastman provided programming, architecture and interior design for a 16-storey, 240,000-square-foot ambulatory care facility on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, based on new methods of cancer diagnosis and care. The plan stresses family involvement and integrated medical, surgical, and imaging services to allow multi-disciplinary consultations.
The new healthcare facility provides medical oncology, chemotherapy, psycho-social programs, diagnostic and interventional imaging services as well as conference and office space for both physicians and administration. The building also includes critical support functions such as pharmacy, hematology and pathology labs, as well as amenities including a boutique for specialized breast cancer needs, a patient information library, cafe, and yoga/meditation space. The centre is designed to be flexible to adapt to changing modalities of cancer diagnosis and care.
The design reflects city zoning and an as-of-right building and the stacked program: clinical floors, academic offices and administration. The side entrance is shifted to create a welcoming garden and a through block driveway for privacy, security, and comfort. The exterior is a blend of glass and golden-toned brick and stone, which reflects the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
The hotel-style lobby includes concierge services and central elevators with clear access to clinical floors with imaging, medical and surgical oncology, infusion therapy, and psycho-social programs. The waiting areas feature abundant day lighting and include patient and family amenities, registration, pantries, a patient boutique, and conference center. The design and lighting plan aims to create inviting spaces with wood and fabrics that provide a warm and comforting atmosphere ,which makes specialized care part of life, rather than a clinical setting based on illness.
This patient-centered facility offers the most up-to-date breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, outpatient treatment services, and a range of support services, all under one roof. Patient convenience and the flexibility to adapt to leading edge changes in the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated are key elements in the construction of the centre. Its design reflects evolving modalities in the treatment of breast cancer such as new diagnostic technologies, less-invasive surgery, molecular pathology, more effective chemotherapies, new, targeted treatments, and vaccine development, with an emphasis on prevention.
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