Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital Cancer Center

Northwestern Medicine McHenry, Illinois

Healthcare

Cancer Center expansion and renovation enhance treatment options and increase throughput while reducing patient anxiety

An 8,800-square-foot expansion and 7,800-square-foot renovation at the Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital Cancer Center not only expands services and allows clinicians to see more patients more efficiently but also creates a more soothing setting. A new, dedicated entry with a large canopy welcomes visitors and reinforces the advanced nature of the treatments within. Among the spaces are a new large linear accelerator vault, two renovated vaults, a new entry lobby/waiting area, and a new conference center.

HIGHLIGHTS

Porte cochere wide enough for four vehicles
Conference center with foldable partition
Natural light from elliptical ceiling fills internal spaces to create an airy and uplifting atmosphere
Improved pedestrian flow
Vault equipment storage space hidden behind stone wall to keep patient alignment molds and masks convenient to improve throughput time but out of site to minimize patient stress
Fresh aesthetic renovation complements Northwestern Medicine brand
Building/canopy footprint was determined by external site circulation and adjacent helipad clearances and by internal corridor connections

Curved Walls, Porte Cochere

The design of the expansion retains the building’s original form but expands significantly with curved walls and glass panels. Stone-clad columns that had been a part of the original smaller cancer center exterior vehicular canopy are now seen inside the new lobby as an integral part of the design. Banded masonry combines the red brick that appears elsewhere on campus with dark gray to distinguish the cancer center entry when viewed as far away as the campus loop road. The porte cochere that is large enough to shelter four vehicles illuminates at dusk, delivers patients to the lobby, and emphasizes the cancer center’s life-saving mission.

Vault

The large linear accelerator vault features a stone wall backdrop to the sculptural equipment, flush-panel wood-toned storage cabinets, and an LED-lighted ceiling panel with images of sky and trees. This ceiling feature simulates a skylight overhead, further relaxing the patient with positive distractions. An elliptical beam of light on the floor reinforces the ceiling feature, which includes a second ellipse that holds cameras and other equipment.

Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital Cancer Center

Cancer Center expansion and renovation enhance treatment options and increase throughput while reducing patient anxiety

HIGHLIGHTS

McHenry Hospital Cancer Center – Dermatology Clinic Retrofit – Image

McHenry Hospital Cancer Center – Dermatology Clinic Retrofit – Open Content

Dermatology Clinic Retrofit

Curved Walls, Porte Cochere

Light and Uplifting

Pathway

Vault

Storage