The North West Cancer Centre is a unique cross border project which provides cancer care to over a half million people in the western region of Northern Ireland and adjoining areas in the South.
The four-storey Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy treatment facility includes outpatient and diagnostic facilities, as well as in-patient accommodation and ancillary support facilities. The architectural concept centred on reducing the anxiety of patients, and for this reason the design avoids traditional, institutional corridors and public areas which have no connection to the outside world, where patients may become disorientated and stressed.
The design creates conscious connections to the surrounding landscape – to the north of the site there is an existing woodland of Scots Pine, Oak, Birch and Sweet Chestnut and the new building was configured to retain and extend this quality, natural landscape through a series of open courtyard spaces. The public enter the main entrance from the drop-off area and pass through the entrance lobby into a large double height concourse which looks out over a new landscaped garden to the south, and contains the main reception, a patient information area, and a café.
At first floor level ward accommodation is arranged to span north-south along the length of the building allowing natural light to penetrate to all rooms. Roof gardens are provided at this level with access for patients that may be too weak to leave the ward, to a natural environment, fresh air, and distant views over the wider landscape.
Following its opening in 2017 North West Cancer Centre received the European Healthcare Design Award for best NHS project in 2018 as well as the Best Health Building at the RIAI Architecture Awards in 2018.
LocationDerry
ClientWestern Health and Social Care Trust
ServiceFull Architectural Services and Contract Administrator
Area14,500 sqm
Value€40 million
StatusCompleted
PerformanceBREEAM: Very Good
