Construction of the $28 million Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer incorporating the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre, designed by Woodhead, reached its highest point on Friday, changing both the landscape of the Flinders Medical Centre campus and the future of cancer prevention and treatment in South Australia.
Following building site tradition, a “Topping Out” ceremony was held where an evergreen tree was placed on the highest point of the building to represent growth and good luck.
In a gesture of hope for the future, representatives of the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Andrew Southcott MP, and other funding partners signed their names on one of the Centre’s highest pillars.
When completed in early 2012, the Centre will house innovative clinical service facilities alongside more than 100 world-class cancer researchers focussed on the development of cancer prevention technologies and strategies in the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre.
The Livestrong Cancer Research Centre is a strategically important health reform project for the nation. The LCRC, part of The Flinders Medical Centre, will be a centre of excellence, unique in its strategic focus on the scientific pursuit of novel preventative and screening detection strategies, the translation of these into community and clinical benefit, and the provision of multidisciplinary cancer care at all stages from health, through diagnosis, treatment and end-stage disease.
A key feature of the centre will be its capacity to integrate research across a number of basic disciplines and clinical sciences. The architectural concept focuses on several key areas. It provides an image of a strong identity, an integrated research facility that is at the cutting edge of research into the treatment of cancer and a place of healing, well-being and hope.
The atrium is a focul point of the interior space – a concentration of movement, activity and life. This space will encourage informal communication and exchange between different users – facilitating the rapid application of research findings to clinical practice.
The atrium provides connectivity between the research and clinical floors. The ‘Northern Wing’ consists of research laboratories and office accommodation for clinical trials nurses and oncologists.
The ‘Southern Wing’ accommodates the Cancer Clinic and the Day Treatment suites. The Ground floor consists of a multi-purpose lecture/function area with patient education facilities for public access. A new helipad will be located on the roof of the building. This will provide direct access to the existing Accident and Emergency Department for retrieval teams. The functional layout of the building highlights the strategic intent of an integrated cancer centre whilst the design of the atrium with the use of materials and natural light creates a warm inviting space that promotes a sense of healing, well being and hope.
