Only with one national children's oncology center, where excellence in care, excellence in research and top people are concentrated, can the ambition to cure 95% of all children with cancer be realised, with a maximum quality of life during and after treatment. This is because children with cancer and their parents only deserve the best. The Prinses Máxima Child Oncology Center is built at the Uithof Utrecht, an ideal place situated next to both a university children's hospital (Wilhelmina Children's Hospital) and a cancer center for adults (UMC Utrecht Cancer Center). The Prinses Máxima Child Oncology Center will gain a building where not only all specialists are concentrated in one place, but especially a building which, with its form and function, supports all the processes,- curing children - development of the children- normal family life - quality treatment; - scientific research,- professional education - and relaxation. This makes it a leading center that will offer the best care to children as well as attracting both Dutch and foreign researchers.
The experience of the child has been made the central focus of the design. Each age group will have its own place to optimize and stimulate social-emotional development. In addition, the relationship between inside and outside, the lobby, and the connection of the building to the surrounding area, the scale and placement of the central height accent are central. The main route through the building is also a meeting place and blends naturally between inside and outside, children and the research worlds. The landscape extends into the building. Green and nature are visible everywhere. Weather and seasons are experienced through the many vistas, skylights and atriums.
Furthermore, the patios provide a recognisable structure and good orientation. The optimum daylight from the patios provides contact with nature, visual interaction between the floors and logical routing.