- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre will bring around 250 cancer researchers, clinicians and support staff together in one location
- The atrium is designed as a ‘semi-passive’ environment with no mechanical air conditioning, offering more natural air quality and reduced energy usage
- The façade provides external shading to reduce solar heat gain and maximise daylight to interior spaces
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre is a new outpatient facility located within the St Vincent’s Research Precinct in Darlinghurst, Sydney. An initiative of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Garvan) and St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney (SV&MHS), the Kinghorn Cancer Centre is designed to integrate and facilitate translational research and foster a personalised medicine approach to cancer.
Open and collaborative lab environments are designed for a wide range of future uses, equipment and technology. In a first for Australia, the laboratory environment employs demand controlled ventilation to address the complex ventilation requirements without subdividing the spaces into compartments.
Comprehensive environmentally sustainable design (ESD) principles, which significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the facility, were also incorporated into the design.
The atrium
An open and welcoming feeling prevails from the moment patients enter the building through to the end of their treatment. The main challenge for the lighting design within this space was the desire from the client and architect to prevent any direct viewing of light sources where possible. The geometry of the atrium and absence of ceiling space meant a more unconventional lighting strategy was required.
In tune with the Centre’s vision, conventional separations between the public and staff have been broken down. A pivotal design feature is the strong visual link between the central atrium and write-up spaces, which strengthens the interconnection of activities and promotes awareness for patients and the public.
The atrium stairs are a prominent and highly accessible design feature to encourage walking. Pedestrian movement and vertical transport calculations were adjusted for this with resulting reduction in energy usage and space requirements.
A ‘semi-passive’ environment
The atrium is designed as a ‘semi-passive’ environment with no mechanical air conditioning, offering a more natural air quality and reduced energy usage.
Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analyses were used to determine the comfort level and performance of the atrium environment and ensure it offered the same comforting and welcoming feel as the physical space. System control hierarchies were employed to control the level of conditioning of the air in the spaces.
The atrium void and landing areas receive sunlight during the day and are not actively air conditioned, but tempered via the relief air from the adjacent conditioned spaces.