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Jie Ao

Jie Ao, who is curently studying at the Texas A & M University, USA (First year of M.Arch), entered the Architects for Health's First Student Health Design Award (2007) with the following submission. For contact please email: jie006@neo.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Cancer Center

Brief:

The Texas A&M Cancer Center was human-centered design, takes care both patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction. Patients as well as visitors come into the facility will not different from coming into a fine hotel or a relaxing spa which provides superior service and pleasant environment. A comfortable place combined with beautiful gardens and large windows with a lot of nature light.

The cancer center houses the departments of imaging oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. The facility also provides supporting area for alternative therapy and patient education. A full-service imaging diagnostic center, with lounge, cafeteria, and waiting area will be located at the main lobby on the second floor. The chemotherapy and radiation oncology were designed separately for the need of different users. Alternative and complementary therapy with meditation garden was also provided in the facility to meet increasing demand.

Reducing stress is a key factor in hospitals. The Texas A&M Cancer Center will integrate the building with surrounding landscape and bring nature into building, create gardens inside and outside. Clinical research suggests that “viewing nature scene can reduce blood pressure and muscle tension”. In chemotherapy, alternative and complementary therapy, and main lobby, green areas were designed to help patients, staffs and families reduce stress.

Nature light is an important design component in the facility, especially in the department of medical oncology. Huge skylights help spiritual uplift for patients and enhance confidence of healing. A plenty of sunlight combined with nature scene which gives patient a sense of serenity when they are spending hours of treatment at a visit, and for waiting families.

Sometimes the best teachers are those who have similar experience about coping with illness. Lounge and cafeteria were designed for interaction between patients and between families to share experiences. Education classrooms draw people together for opportunities of learning and hold events enable patients and families to exchange information and support each other. Library was designed to the needs of all community members. The new released books with health care materials help people to find the update information.

Factors

• Environmentally friendly design
• Value human beings over technology
• Create an exciting facility that are attractive to the needs of all kinds of users
• Large windows and skylights allow sunlight comes into facility
• Attractive gardens inside and outside
• Lounge, cafeteria, and educational classrooms was designed to encourage socilization
• Library with well stocked health care material responding to the need of patients and families to find lastest treatment and options
• Adjustable sun shading devices control sunlight
• Double wall system prevents heat loss and gain

Special Considerations For Patients

• Comfort, home-like facility
• Pleasent environment help reduce stress
• Comfortable places help communication with staff
• Provide spaces that enhance learning
• Amenity environments support health and healing

Special Considerations For Family

• Making spaces for family
• Easy wayfinding
• Library and resource center help family get update treatment information
• Provide places to share similar experience with others

Special Considerations For Staff

• Open nurse station easy for communication with patients and family members
• Pleasant place with a lot of windows and sunlight
• Convenient location reduce walking distance
• Encourage caregivers to be responsive to patients
• Attractive environment with lots of trees and flowers

The Architects for Health
First Student Health Design Award
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