Construction has commenced in Kansas City, Kan., on the country’s latest proton therapy center, which upon its scheduled completion in December will be the first of its kind to offer specialized radiation treatment to patients in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Arkansas. This will also be the region’s only National Cancer Center-designated cancer center.
The University of Kansas Health System will offer this service through its Cancer Center. It has received, and has started to install, the equipment for the proton therapy center, which is designed by Hoefer Welker in partnership with Stantec, whose design expertise in this typology includes the 135,000-sf New York Proton Center, the first of its kind in that state.
Hoefer Welker is also providing FF&E services, clinical space planning, medical equipment planning, and construction administration for this project. The facility expects to start receiving patients next January.
Also see: Equipment being hoisted and positioned into place
“Many cancer patients can’t receive this specialized treatment without traveling across several states to get it,” says John Castorina, Partner, Principal-in-Charge and National Healthcare Practice Leader with Hoefer Welker. “The stress that puts on the patient, their well-being and their recovery—as well as the emotional and financial stress it puts on their caregiver—is immense, and it’s something we hope this new facility can provide relief for. The capability to provide this treatment is a profound addition to our community and our region.”
DESIGN INFORMED BY TALKS WITH MEDICAL PROS
The 38,200-sf proton treatment center—which would be the 38th in the U.S—is being constructed by Kansas City-based McCownGordon Construction and Fort Worth, Texas-based Linbeck. The facility will include a protective concrete vault whose six- to nine-ft-thick walls require 2,721 cubic yards of concrete and 377,513 lbs of steel rebar. The vault will house 160 tons of equipment.
Throughout the design process Hoefer Welker met with physicians and other medical staff to determine the needs of patients and their families. Those meetings included a “visioning” session that assessed psychological, sociological, and physiological impacts.
Related Stories
| May 1, 2012
Construction is underway on MLK ambulatory care center in L.A.
Featuring a variety of sustainable features, the new facility is designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification.
| Apr 27, 2012
GreenExpo365.com to offer webinars on EPA’s WaterSense Program
Architects and builders interested in developing water-efficient buildings invited to attend free sessions featuring experts discussing water-efficient building practices.
| Apr 25, 2012
McCarthy introduces high school students to a career in construction
High school students from the ACE Mentoring Program tour the new CHOC Children’s Patient Tower in Orange, Calif.
| Apr 20, 2012
McCarthy completes Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Replacement Facility
The new hospital’s architectural design combines traditional Santa Barbara Spanish colonial architecture with 21st century medical conveniences highlighted by a therapeutic and sustainable atmosphere.
| Apr 18, 2012
Perkins+Will designs new complex for Johns Hopkins Hosptial
The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center and the Sheikh Zayed Tower create transformative patient-centric care.
| Apr 17, 2012
Alberici receives 2012 ASA General Contractor of the Year award
Alberici has been honored by the ASA eight times in the award’s nineteen-year history--more than any other general contractor in its class.
| Apr 16, 2012
Freeland promoted to vice president at Heery International
Recently named to Building Design+Construction’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2012.
| Apr 16, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on senior living center in Brunswick, Ga.
Marks the third Benton House project constructed by Batson-Cook.
| Apr 4, 2012
HDS designs Mount Auburn Hospital’s new healthcare center in Waltham, Mass.
HDS Architecture provided design services for all the Mount Auburn Healthcare suites including coordination of HVAC and FP engineering.
