12 healthcaredm.co.uk PROJECT Bringing biophilia to cancer care Opened in 2024, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary is the largest cancer care facility in Canada and second-largest in North America, and has been designed to elicit positive psychological responses among patients, fostering feelings of trust, comfort and hope to promote healing. Helen Adkins talked to architect Diego Morettin The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, Canada, is a monumental achievement in healthcare infrastructure. With a $1.4 billion CAD budget and an expansive 127,000 m² footprint (approximately 1.4 million square feet), the centre is designed to deliver advanced, integrated cancer care to Albertans. Its goal is to improve outcomes and expand access to cutting-edge treatment for a large and diverse population through an interdisciplinary approach that unites research, education and patient- and family-focused care. The centre offers a comprehensive range of services and facilities, integrating treatment, education and research, which includes 100 exam rooms, 100 chemotherapy chairs, 160 beds and 15 radiation vaults, plus an MRI Linac suite. The hospital also offers specialist surgery with a brachytherapy MRI suite, plus medical research laboratories, diagnostic imaging services and a robust support programme for patients, both pre- and post-treatment. Catherine Zeliotis, clinical lead at engineering services company Stantec, explains: ‘Key to the model of care is the emphasis on outpatient services, interdisciplinary care integrating research and teaching, and innovative diagnosis and treatment, all supported by psychosocial, physical and supportive care throughout the cancer journey.’ The importance of education, teaching and research is also exemplified by the inclusion of the Knowledge Centre and the direct link to the adjacent University of Albert via the skybridge connector. At the heart of the hospital’s design is a seven-story podium and a five-storey tower, forming two curving L-shaped structures that surround an all-season exterior garden and courtyard. This design reflects a critical shift in modern healthcare facilities in the country, enhancing both the patient experience and the healing process through design innovation and biophilia. DIALOG, in collaboration with Stantec, played a key role in shaping the centre’s design. Together, they were responsible for architectural and interior design, as well as structural, mechanical and electrical engineering. Their work extended to landscape architecture, planning and urban design, ensuring a holistic approach to the centre’s development. BIOPHILIC PRINCIPALS Diego Morettin, partner and architect at DIALOG, shares his overarching vision for the centre, which emphasised biophilic principles and an holistic approach to patient care. By integrating treatment, Location: Calgary, AB Client: Alberta Health Services Completion: 2024 Collaborators DIALOG Stantec Smith + Andersen PCL Construction Management Inc.
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