University College London Hospital (UCLH) Macmillan Cancer Centre uses the best diagnostic and treatment techniques in cancer care. As treatments for cancer advance and patients require fewer and shorter stays in hospital, the focus was to create a building that was welcoming and complementary to the new style of treatment the hospital provides. 

Arup provided project management and structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (SMEP) engineering design services. We were fully integrated into the project acting as a member of the UCLH project board and managing a small team of their personnel, as well as budgets, risk, issues, change management, and progress reporting. 

The beautiful and bright building – a comfortable place to visit and a sanctuary for patients – opened in 2012. Patients and staff were consulted early on during the design development and regularly invited to visit the site during construction. We worked alongside the project team and contractor to ensure that input from the end users was embedded throughout the project.  

Wellbeing comes first 

Visitors experience a bright, spacious feel as the double-height floors allow natural light to flood the building. We employed an innovative self-cleaning glazing system that meets NHS environmental targets and cuts carbon emissions by a third. Glass is a theme throughout the building, in particular on the rooftop ‘healing garden’, offering an open-air sanctuary for patients. The building’s prefabricated façade, made of a durable and low-maintenance bronze-alloy with a concrete frame, looks architecturally beautiful and recovers heat, helping to keep conditions stable throughout the year. 

UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre

The building opened in 2012 and achieved BREEAM 'excellent' rating

UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, London

The rooftop ‘healing garden’ offers an open-air sanctuary for patients.

A therapeutic environment for patients and their families 

Our team of acousticians ensured there is total privacy from room to room, while our lighting specialists looked at the best solutions to reduce glare while providing lighting levels required by staff. Our fire strategy has reduced the number of fire compartments and halved the number of stairs, which has allowed for modern, open-plan treatment bays and kept the flow of the building. The result is a modern approach to cancer care that puts patients at the heart of the design

Partners & collaborators

Architect: Hopkins Architects / Contractor: Skanska