Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Ambulatory Cancer Center – West Harrison, NY
This vacant former office building was adaptively reused into a 114,000 GSF outpatient cancer center with flexible spaces, natural light, and advanced technology. The architecture of Memorial Sloan Kettering West Harrison Cancer Center evolves the traditional ideas of outpatient cancer treatment – for patients and staff.
“Enhancing the cancer patient experience and supporting an efficient care environment inspired our work at West Harrison,” said EwingCole Principal and Director of Healthcare Andrew Jarvis, AIA. “Modularity, flexibility, privacy, and continuity of care are woven through the combined examination/consultation rooms, private infusion rooms, and circulation routes punctuated by the positive stimuli of natural light and gardens.”
The project transformed a 1950s office building into a contemporary cancer center by altering the exterior to make the building appear less expansive; incorporating a new façade and a small lobby addition with improved accessibility to parking; and introducing skylights and light wells to bring daylight deep within the building.
The design team used several techniques to ease a patient’s path of travel through the building, from placing consecutive internal destinations nearby to including positive distractions that minimize walking and aid navigation. Skylights and gardens act as wayfinding devices, while residential-themed gathering areas provide rest stops and social interaction along the way. For example, the “study” area has built-in shelves with a curated selection of staff-favorite books.
Highlights of the architecture and interior design include:
• Modularity We developed a standard 120-SF room size module for West Harrison Cancer Center. Exam rooms, private infusion rooms, offices, consultation rooms, and classrooms are based on this module, offering flexibility for future space utilization or reallocation.
• Minimizing the Hospital Aesthetic The interiors avoid appearances that remind patients of their illnesses. Sound absorbing materials and the absence of a public address system keep the interior very quiet. Medical equipment and technology are screened or concealed from view. Partitions instead of full-height walls, textured glass panels, and filtered natural light complement a soft neutral color and materials palette.
• Real Time Location System The center uses advanced wearable technology to track patient and staff locations in real time and maximize efficiencies in care. The system also helps staff identify patients without the need for public announcements.
• Privacy and Patient Control Rather than typical infusion bays, West Harrison Cancer Center features private chemotherapy infusion rooms with outdoor views, direct lines of sight to the nurses’ stations, and all medical supplies concealed. Patients have the ability to control temperature, lighting, exterior shades, and entertainment options. Modular partitions and casework offer flexibility for future changes to the infusion area.
• Multi-Tasking To enhance patient convenience, consultation and education are brought into the exam rooms. Multi-function private exam rooms feature consultation areas with whiteboard glass desks on which physicians can sketch or write, and exam areas with custom benches for patient belongings and mirrored artwork that enables patients to adjust clothing or wigs without the exposure of a full mirror.
Green Design LEED Gold certification is anticipated for the building’s use of PVC-free materials, insulation made of recycled denim, and water conservation efforts including self-charging hands-free faucets. New interior courtyards and sunken gardens were introduced to provide rich landscape views and an integration between indoors and out.
