Modern Art

The design of INCA—one of the largest healthcare projects in South America—has many chapters. While these chapters are complex, its lessons can be told in two simple statements: Simple solutions often are best revealed in the face of complex problems, and building relationships nurtured by trust is key in any culture.

INCA

The Instituto Nacional De Cancer (INCA) is one of the largest cancer treatment providers in South America and offers multiple services in Brazil, including prevention, epidemiological surveillance, treatment, information, education, and research.

Similar to the National Institute of Health in the United States, INCA is a government-funded enterprise tasked with blending cutting-edge cancer treatment with research and prevention for the improvement of the health of citizens of Brazil. INCA has become a national and international model for cancer control.

A new campus for an important institution

In 2007, on its 70th anniversary, INCA began planning for its new campus in Rio de Janeiro. The objective was to do more than consolidate oncology services scattered throughout several locations in this thriving city. The intention was to create a new model for cancer care—one that was centered around translating research into practice within an environment focused on providing top-quality, efficient patient care.

INCA sought out international design experts that could help it transform its physical environment into a world-class oncology center. The process began with an international selection exercise to identify a team that could provide INCA with both a new image as well as a facility to take it well into the future. The American firm Cannon Design would team with the Brazilian firms RAF Arquitetura and MHA Engenharia to bring INCA both world-class design and healthcare expertise from its region.

The modernist tradition of Brazil architecture

Brazil is a country with a rich architectural heritage. Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx made a significant contribution to the 20th Century Modern movement. Niemeyer was one of the creators of Brasilia, the new capital of the country, and Marx transformed Rio de Janeiro with his parks, boulevards, and sidewalk pattern designs along the city’s beaches.

The architectural scene in Brazil today is vibrant as young architects continue designing in the modernist tradition. For an outsider designing in Brazil, the country’s architectural heritage represents an obligation; but because of Brazilians’ openness to fresh design ideas, it represents an opportunity as well.

Rio is a city made up of a number of neighborhoods, characterized by low-scale buildings, lush landscape, and busy street life. These neighborhoods are separated by natural topography consisting of large cone-like hills that, together with parks and wide landscaped avenues, give the city its unique character. The design team spent much time in Rio, speaking with the client, exchanging ideas among design team members, and analyzing the program and site. At the end of every visit, a promising concept continued to emerge.