Integrated research and treatment at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer 

Design to integrate and advance cancer prevention, screening and detection strategies, translation of strategies into community and clinical benefit, and the provision of multidisciplinary cancer care at all stages.

To help the centre deliver its innovative and significant work, three main elements informed our architectural response. These included presenting a strong identity, enabling the centre’s multifaceted program and to provide an environment befitting the centre as a place of healing, wellbeing and hope. The centre’s capacity to integrate research across multiple basic disciplines and clinical sciences was another key design driver. 

Spatial layout equips staff, patients and visitors with clear wayfinding. The atrium is designed as the focal point of the interior space to allow a concentration of movement, activity and life to occur. It plays a vital role in encouraging informal communication and exchange between different departments, organically promoting the rapid application of research findings into clinical practice. The atrium also acts as a connecting space between the research and clinical floors.
Another prime space for information dissemination across the medical profession and with the community it serves, is the multipurpose lecture and function area located on the ground floor.

The northern wing is devoted to research laboratories and office accommodation for clinical trials, nursing staff and oncologists, while the Cancer Clinic and Day Treatment suites are housed in the building’s southern wing. 

The design is pivotal in supporting and advancing the centre’s unique strategic focus on the scientific pursuit of novel preventative and screening detection strategies. And translating these strategies into community and clinical benefit, along with the provision of multidisciplinary cancer care at all stages from health, through diagnosis, treatment and end-stage care.