The Phillips Family Cancer Center is a ±13,800 SF cancer treatment facility designed for Southampton Hospital and planned to service the treatment needs of patients on the East End of Long Island. In keeping with the long standing farming history of the region, the inspiration for the design came from the vernacular potato barn – a long, rectangular, pitched roof volume partially embedded into the earth and open at either end. The adoption of this building type provides a clear organization for the two primary programs of the project. The first, a state of the art Linear Accelerator radiation vault has been embedded into the earth on the lower level, taking advantage of the natural radiation shielding potential of the soil’s mass. The second, a primary patient treatment room where patients may spend hours at a time receiving infusions, is located on the 2nd level incorporating a raised cathedral ceiling, as well as many windows and skylights that allow for views out to both an adjacent contemplative garden, and the abundant vegetation landscaped around the building. The primary design intention of this space is for it to feel open, light, airy and connected to nature; a place where patients may feel more relaxed and comfortable while undergoing treatment.
A composite plank, typically utilized for commercial decking is incorporated as a low maintenance siding material, reminiscent of aged cedar. A system of western red cedar louvers (NACO) span across each open end of the building, allowing for a significant amount of natural light to enter, while not compromising thermal performance, or the privacy of patients. The exposed exterior surfaces of the building’s lower level along the entry front are constructed from an exposed board form concrete, referring back again to the vernacular potato barns of the region and a deeper connection to the land.
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