Project category: Remodel/Renovation (completed May 2004)

Chief administrator: Lawrence Goodman, MD, President and CEO, (312) 942-5000

Firm: Proteus Group, (312) 337-7800

Design team: William R. Gran, AIA, Principal; William Dawes, AIA, Project Architect, Project Manager (Proteus Group, Capital Project Department); Alan W. Mack, Principal, Interior Design; Elizabeth Erazmus, Interior Designer; Brian K. Wattleworth, PE, Principal, Engineering (Proteus Group)

Photography: ©2004 Anthony May; Proteus Group

Total building area (sq. ft.): 18,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $83

Total cost (excluding land): $1,500,000

This is a comprehensive outpatient clinical cancer center consisting of 24 exam rooms, 33 infusion stations, medical records, and laboratory services for hematology, oncology, breast, and bone-marrow transplant patients. Patients receive diagnostic services and treatment therapies, or they are admitted as inpatients as required. This project is only one piece of the entire cancer center. These services were previously housed in several noncontiguous areas within the hospital, and this is the first phase in improving the patient experience in a large inner-city institution.

One of the biggest hurdles was to integrate all of the various clinics into one contiguous space with a centralized medical records department. The second was to provide additional infusion areas, exam rooms, and upgrades to the support spaces at the same time. A new reception/waiting area was designed to shorten the admission process. New infusion bays were added with exterior views from the eighth-floor location. All of the bays were then separated by treatment and therapy spaces.

The design follows the hospital standard established for the new Breast Center completed several years ago. This includes the use of simulated-wood flooring in the examination areas, life-affirming artwork, and soft colors and patterns that continue the nature theme.

The biggest challenge in this project was to maintain services to patients with only minor inconveniences, while renovating the spaces over a 15-month construction schedule and in six phases.