Crafting a Cancer Center Model: Designing Spaces That Support Healing, Clarity, and Modern Care

Designing a cancer center is one of the most complex and meaningful challenges in healthcare architecture. These facilities must balance the technical demands of advanced treatment, the emotional needs of patients and families, and the operational expectations of multidisciplinary clinical teams. At Wilmot Sanz, our work on developing a freestanding cancer center model illustrates how thoughtful planning can transform the patient experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they complete their care journey.

Understanding the People Behind the Program

Cancer care is not one-size-fits-all. Patients vary widely in age, background, physical health, emotional state, and social support systems. These variations shape everything—from the comfort of infusion spaces to the clarity of information provided at check-in.

Patients undergoing treatment experience fluctuating energy levels, immune suppression, anxiety, and a deep need for reassurance. Crafting a model requires designing spaces that support both social interaction and quiet isolation, depending on personal preference and the stage of treatment.

Mapping a Complex Care Journey

Cancer care delivery includes an array of distinct but interconnected services: diagnostics, medical oncology, infusion therapy, radiation oncology, genetics, nutrition, survivorship, palliative care, and more.

A successful cancer center model doesn’t simply co-locate these services—it organizes them into a cohesive, intuitive system that reduces stress, minimizes unnecessary travel distances, and promotes collaboration.

Journey mapping helps visualize how a patient moves from arrival to exam, treatment, pharmacy pickup, and follow-up care. The model emphasizes “patients first,” supported by easy wayfinding, an efficient clinical platform, and a calming, modern environment.

Building the Foundation: The Base Program

A baseline 30,000-SF program includes core components such as radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion bays, a compounding pharmacy, clinic spaces, materials management, public amenities, and staff support areas.

Key considerations in planning this model include:

• Linear accelerator vaults, including space for future expansion
• Infusion bays organized to support a variety of patient preferences and levels of privacy
• USP 800–compliant pharmacies for chemotherapy preparation
• Nuclear medicine hot labs for advanced diagnostic imaging
• Staff respite areas, which are essential in high-stress care environments
• Clear, welcoming arrival experiences that set the tone for the entire visit

As cancer centers grow more multidisciplinary, optional components—such as alternative medicine, imaging, breast centers, demonstration kitchens, or education spaces—can be added based on community needs.

From Legacy Spaces to Modern Centers

Commons challenges in older, legacy cancer centers are poor wayfinding, operational inefficiency, cramped layouts, and patient anxiety.

Crafting a new cancer center model means intentionally solving these issues by:

• Simplifying circulation
• Elevating staff visibility and teamwork
• Integrating natural light and access to healing gardens
• Creating intuitive landmarks and sightlines
• Reducing noise, clutter, and “institutional” character

The future state concept—“a modern free-standing cancer center”—focuses on clarity, calmness, and collaboration.
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A Design Process Anchored in Discovery

The path to a successful model is iterative and multidisciplinary. The design process includes:

1. Discovery – learning how the hospital and community operate
2. Flow Analysis – mapping staff, patient, material, and equipment movement
3. Adjacency Studies – determining which services benefit from proximity
4. Incremental Growth Strategies – building flexibility for future expansion

These layers shape a center that can evolve as technologies and treatments do.
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Designing for Comfort and Technical Excellence

Cancer treatment is demanding, and patient comfort is essential. Mechanical and electrical systems play a critical role in shaping the treatment experience.

Important factors include:

• Individual temperature control for infusion patients
• Dimmable lighting and entertainment systems
• Redundant power systems for expensive, schedule-sensitive treatments
• Tight humidity and cooling standards for specialized equipment
• Creative solutions for radiation vaults, which require thick concrete walls but should still feel calming

These behind-the-scenes systems are as important to the model as the architectural layout.

Crafting a cancer center model is ultimately about creating a place where compassion meets precision—where patients feel seen, supported, and empowered, and where clinicians are equipped with environments that elevate their work.