New Cancer Center Designed with Community Input

by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

How do you . . . design a holistic cancer treatment center that meets the needs of a local community?

Summary: The new Don & Dana Meyers Cancer Center in Seymour, Ind., was designed by Indianapolis-based BSA LifeStructures with the input of the town’s 20,000 local residents. The $9.2 million center is a freestanding building on a tight site on the campus of the Schneck Medical Center. The local community wanted the new cancer center, which opened earlier this fall, to offer radiation and medical treatment in one building, as opposed to having patients travel for radiation treatment. BSA LifeStructures met this goal by giving the community its own treatment facility. The community raised $4 million for the center. Warm colors, local art, a nature theme, and natural light create a holistic, soothing environment to make patients and families feel comfortable.

The 15,000-square-foot Don & Dana Meyers Cancer Center is designed with its community in mind. “The project was the vision of the hospital to respond to the needs of the community,” says Doug Abrams, associate principal at BSA LifeStructures. “The community approached the hospital with the needs of combining cancer services into one building. They also wanted the design to have infusion areas for patients and their families and more open bays with a community feel that could still offer privacy options.”

The cancer center is on a long, narrow site across the street from the hospital so an underground tube system can transfer samples and medications. For the site orientation, Abrams had to consider helicopter flight patterns into the nearby hospital helipad in order to buffer noise away from the center’s patient spaces.

Open and private spaces; soothing environment
BSA LifeStructures considered the community’s request for appropriate design spaces for patients and families. “There’s an infusion area where patients can be together during treatment. It’s an open community room of semi-private bays, and there is a private treatment room for patients who might be having a bad day and want a private setting. There’s also space in the treatment area for family members who visit.”

Windows let patients and family members look outside during treatments. “The treatment area is all glass overlooking a future healing garden. We allowed for as much natural light as we could into the space, and we gave a lot of thought to views. The staff lounge will also have a view to the healing garden.”

BSA LifeStructures worked with Maregatti Interiors for a holistic, soothing atmosphere that helps patients feel at ease. They used warm colors, local art, and a nature theme that includes tile flooring, natural wood, transparent art panels featuring native plants, and simulated curved stone walls. “We used natural materials in the treatment area that are calming and comfortable,” Abrams notes. “We introduced art and nature by local artists, so there’s familiarity there, not only for patients but also for staff and physicians.” The open lobby features a fireplace, curved stone walls with book niches, comfortable seating, and a resource area with computers and Internet access. There is a multipurpose room for staff as well.

Rounding out the Don & Dana Meyers Cancer Center is a massage center and a boutique offering specialty items such as prosthetics, wigs, lotions, and bathing suits.

Community extension
Adds Abrams: “The center gives the community a sense of ownership in that the hospital focused on the community and its needs. I’d say it gives the patients choices so they have a sense of control over their environment.”

What advice would he give architects who work on a similar project? Every community has its own particular assets and needs, he points out. “Listen and talk to the hospital and its staff, and hold focus groups of former patients for any suggestions.”