The MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is a 103,000-square-foot, four-story, $100 million treatment center designed by Francis Cauffman. The project team also included owner’s representative Stantec and contractor P. Agnes; the facility opened in October 2013.

A collaboration between The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Camden-based Cooper University Health Care, the new center brings multiple progressive outpatient cancer treatment services under one roof, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, and urology.

During the design process, the design team met with past patients and caregivers to discuss their experiences and their preferences. Patients expressed the desire to control their treatment environment when they received infusion, so designers created both shared and private infusion spaces. At the patients’ request, designers chose heated massage chairs to increase comfort during infusion. Each treatment room includes plenty of space for family and friends to sit beside patients and provide emotional support.

The building is surrounded by lush plantings to create a feeling of serenity, which continues throughout landscaped walking paths and a courtyard with flowers. A rooftop tranquility garden, accessed from a second-floor waiting room, includes seating areas for patients and families.

Inside the center, the Tree of Life feature wall welcomes visitors to the lobby. Situated behind a staircase, this technological representation of a tree is made of branches and resin cube leaves that gently change color.