Our progress to date has only been possible thanks to supporters who have helped make this happen.
The Centre's Day Treatment areas are on target to open mid 2012, including Day Oncology, Information & Resources Centre, Cannulation & Apheresis (CATS), Wellness Centre and a portion of Radiotherapy Services and Pharmacy.
Continued fundraising support is needed to help complete the Centre’s full fitout; to provide the best treatment environment for patients with the latest in research, medical and wellness care. Make your donation, with thanks.
The Centre's designed by architects Daryl Jackson in association with MSJ. Visit our Image Gallery for more visuals about the Centre.
Plans
The Centre will be an eight level building that will bring together a holistic response to the varied and intricate facets of cancer care, including a significant emphasis on wellness and patient well being.
The design has been developed around embracing the essence of wellness by wrapping the building around a central courtyard. A courtyard that will give light and air and sustainability to the building and link directly to the wellness spaces.
Organised around two strong circulation axis’ at whose intersection will be the creation of the main entry space with links to Wellness Centre (Zeltner Hall), Radiation Oncology Service and into the existing Austin Hospital's Lance Townsend building.
The building includes Wellness, Information and Resource Centres and a Day Oncology and CATS service, and the Oncology Outpatient service, and Radiation Oncology administration.
The building has been future proofed to allow two acute cancer wards, a palliative care ward and office space to be built in Stage 2, over levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 carefully orchestrated to be built from the south thereby minimising disruption.
Progress Timeline:
- July 2010- Environmentally friendly concrete poured for the Radiation Oncology bunkers.
- July/Aug 2010- Tower crane installed for the duration of the building works(approximately 2 years)
- Aug/Sept 2010- Environmentally friendly concrete foundation slab is poured.
- Dec/Jan 2011- The building's structure is now complete up to level 5 North.
- Jan/Feb 2011- Level 5 South, 5 North, 6 North, 7 North and 8 North all completed.
- March/April 2011- Fitout of Level 2 is almost complete and Level 3 has commenced. Services on Levels 1 to 4 are now complete.
Environmentally Sustainable Design
Many of the building materials and coverings for the Centre have environmentally friendly qualities - including the concrete. Other eco-friendly materials include the bamboo floor coverings that will be used where appropriate and eco-friendly resins that will be used in place of glazing or panelling.
80% of any building materials left over will be recycled, as was the case with the old cancer building (Heidelberg House) which was demolished in 2009.
The wellness philosophy has been embraced in the design for the entire Centre. Environmentally Sustainable Design (also called environmentally conscious design) include the following elements:
- Rain water catchments to water the Centre’s gardens and for water features
- Energy efficient fittings with the level of light fixed to a comfortable zone for patients and visitors
- Maximum use of natural light throughout
- Bamboo flooring in many areas, including Day Oncology and Wellness Centre, with limited use of PVC flooring
- Materials, fittings and paint will be low-emitting products made to best practice
- 100 per cent, non-recirculated, fresh air will be delivered throughout the Centre
- Individual balconies in the Palliative Care Ward for private access to the outdoors
- Cleaning products where possible will be non-toxic and biodegradable
A careful selection of colours have been chosen, bringing together a sense for patients and visitors of tranquillity, inspiration, warmth and friendly surrounds. The textures proposed are natural – visually encouraging strong links between indoors and outdoors and enhancing the sense of optimistic warmth.