OLIVIA NEWTON JOHNCANCER & WELLNESS CENTRE

WHAT IS WELLNESS?

Sharing of information

Empowering the patient

Providing diversions

Options & choices

Eliminating environmental stresses

Emotional & spiritual support of the patient

Alternative care settings

The goal sought by Olivia Newton-John was “to express the aspirational edge; where desire and hope within each patient remains uppermost in their thoughts.”

SERVICES PROVIDED

Chemotherapy & Apheresis

25 Chairs4 Apheresis

Translational Research & Clinical Trials

Laboratories over 3 levels

Radiotherapy

4 Linacs2CT + Brachytherapy

Multidisciplinary Clinics

16 rooms

Inpatient Care

Oncology 32 BedsHaematology 32 BedsPalliative Care 22 Beds

Satellite Pharmacy

Cytotoxic Suite

STRATEGIC ORGANISATION OF CLINICAL SPACES

Entr y Level

Day Patients, Wellness Centre, Educating & Research

Sec tion

Pivotal to its design, the facility offers patients and staff continual access and visual connection to the central courtyard which is gently wrapped

and nurtured by the building facade.

The Acute and Palliative Care wards are located on the upper levels, expressively designed to overlook the Valley to the south, with north sun derived from the

courtyard on the opposite side. As designers we wanted to distinguish the ONJ as “different” or “special” fitting in with the Heidelberg urban landscape to become an expressive distinctive form of the Austin Hospital. Inpatients units are connected to:

Laboratories Staff recreation & collaboration spaces

Upper Plan

THE WELLNESS CENTRE

Olivia wanted a courtyard & a patient centre that was not “health department” driven; & this was not hard for the architects to provide; it came in the form of Zeltner Hall, already a historic gathering space on the site; somewhat

under used & readily available to convert into an educational & reception lounge for patients. A Verandah overlooked a tiered garden, now rebuilt with running water & flower beds, leading the eye down to a lower sun

terrace just outside the patient lounge - light, sun & fresh air ensure optimism.

WELLNESS GARDEN

The goal sought by Olivia Newton-John was to make a centre that had a “feel good spirit” about it. Careful attention was paid to colours, sunlight and shade, tranquillity and softness, a critical

balance, alongside the clinical setting of oncology treatment, radiology, operating theatres and research.

A design that recognises wellness allows each patient to play an encouraging role amongst their peers, along with family and support

friends. The Facility delivers cutting-edge clinical care in a tranquil environment that reduces stress on patients, visitors and staff.

ALTERNATIVE CARE SETTINGS

The oncology ‘day room’ is designed in the form of a huge bay window, looking into the “Tree of Life” in the foreground. In the distance the Yarra Valley

and the Dandenong mountains are readily on view.

ALTERNATIVE CARE SETTINGS

Spaces for investigation of the treatment regime & empowering the patient. Spaces for relaxation & repose.

Patient rooms that provide outlook & natural ventilation.

CONNECTIVITY & COLLABORATION

The building is supported by intuitive way-finding and clear signage, organised around two strong circulation axes. The intersection of these culminates in the

main entry space with direct links (north and south) connecting ONJ with Lance Townsend building and east/west connecting ONJ with Zeltner Hall.

An overall impression of openness is developed here to encourage staff to enlighten each other, so avoiding the desperate “territoriality” of departments generally

apparent in most large Australian hospitals.

FORM & EXPRESSION

One of the key drivers to its eventual form, was considering the approach of the patients, visitors and carers to the facility – and of course the binding relationship with Austin Health – we understand the nature of cancer treatment means patients are “frequent flyers” – this had significant impact on the overall design of the building, in particular its necessity to be

engaging & welcoming and of appropriate scale.

Its curved facade appears as a “softer” building, where multi-coloured sunshades filter the light and take on a natural connection with the hillside. Inside, a connected curving journey (different to the adjacent laboratory

corridors) links bedrooms, meeting areas and in particular, the ”look out” cantilevered lounges, sitting into the “curves”, to get a 180 degree view of the surrounding landscape.

Operable windows, accessible balconies, double glazed windows and sun-shading screens provide “patient autonomy” – allows patients the ability to control their own level of comfort as they would in their own home - open a window, control

their own lighting, step outside on the balcony etc.

Glazed stairs to the east and west that act as beacon lights at night and

ground the building.

The building was designed to maximise energy efficiency and minimise environmental impacts. Building systems were selected to maximise comfort levels, such as the choice of passive chilled beams over air conditioning. Natural light has been harnessed and natural

finishes, colours and textures used, to create a sense of bringing the outdoors inside.

- Reduction in water consumption of 40% against comparable facilities

- Rain water harvesting

- Reuse of reverse osmosis water for irrigation

- Evaporative cooling

- 100% fresh air

- Heat exchanges to aid heat recovery

- Chilled beam low pressure diffusers providing greater efficiency in patient areas

- Accessible balconies and openable windows in palliative care area

- Solar hot water

- Significant access to daylight multiple areas for sun

ACHIEVED A 4 STAR GREEN STAR RATING

Winner: Excellence in Construction of Commercial Building over $80M at the Master Builders Association of Victoria Awards 2014

2013 Healthcare Environment Awards Acute Care Honourable Mention Centre for Health Design USA

“Providing social interaction for patients and their carers in a supportive noninstitutional and comforting environment promotes and

supports better patient outcomes.”

Megan Gray

Project Director ONJCWC

AWARDS