A Beacon for Personalized Cancer Care: Inova Schar Cancer Welcomes Patients to a Transformed Campus

Wilmot Sanz is proud to announce the opening of the new Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia—a landmark project that redefines cancer care in the region and represents a powerful convergence of architecture, medicine, and innovation. As the flagship facility of Inova Health System’s new Center for Personalized Health, this transformational cancer center is one of the nation’s leading institutions focused on leveraging genomic science to deliver individualized, targeted cancer therapies.

This milestone project is more than just a new healthcare building—it’s the dramatic reinvention of a former corporate headquarters into a world-class destination for cancer care, research, and hope.

From Seclusion to Connection: The Challenge of Reimagining a Corporate Campus

Before its acquisition by Inova, the project site was home to ExxonMobil’s East Coast corporate headquarters—a secure, secluded, and inward-facing campus built between 1979 and 1989. Hidden among dense trees near the intersection of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Route 50, the facility was defined by four dark masonry buildings and five mirrored-glass towers. Its architecture prioritized confidentiality and security—qualities appropriate for a multinational oil corporation but antithetical to modern principles of patient-centered healthcare.

Navigating the site was difficult. Disconnected walkways, long dark corridors, and a lack of visual transparency created an intimidating and disorienting experience—especially for patients and families dealing with cancer diagnoses. It was clear that the design team would need to undertake a comprehensive transformation to convert this insular, corporate campus into an accessible, uplifting, and human-centered place of healing.

Transforming the Patient Experience Through Design

Wilmot Sanz, in collaboration with Inova and the broader design team, developed a vision to reimagine both the exterior and interior environments, creating a vibrant, welcoming campus that reflects Inova’s mission and elevates the patient journey at every step.

Re-skinning the Central Tower

To symbolically and physically shift the architectural tone, the team re-skinned the central tower with a custom glass facade inspired by genomic patterns—a design decision that highlights the cancer center’s personalized, research-driven approach. The new facade is visually striking and transparent, signaling openness, progress, and hope.

Introducing a New Entry Pavilion

A new airy, light-filled entry pavilion was added to serve as the front door to the campus. This dramatic new intervention provides a clear, centralized arrival experience that improves wayfinding and introduces visitors to the facility with warmth and clarity. The pavilion brings order to the previously fragmented site and creates a welcoming threshold for patients and families.

Healing-Focused Interiors

Inside, the design team worked closely with Inova’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee to create environments rooted in comfort, dignity, and empathy. A strong emphasis on biophilic design—including natural materials, daylight, interior plantings, and nature-inspired artwork—brings cohesion and calm throughout the building. Soft finishes, clear sightlines, and thoughtful adjacencies reflect a deep commitment to the emotional and psychological well-being of patients.

The Inova Schar Cancer Institute is the first facility in Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. region to offer fully integrated, personalized cancer care under one roof. It serves as a central hub for:

• Advanced clinical care
• Genomic-based treatment planning
• Clinical trials and translational research
• Supportive services and survivorship care

Through careful architectural transformation and operational planning, the campus now reflects Inova’s bold ambition to lead the future of cancer care—combining state-of-the-art treatment with a patient-first philosophy embedded in every detail.