A-KIN

CANCER COMMUNITY FOR TEENS:

TREATMENT, SUPPORT, AND JOY KIN= GOLD

RESEARCH SUMMARY DURING CANCER TREATMENT, TEENS

OFTEN DO NOT HAVE A DESIGNED
SPACE THAT RESPONDS TO THEIR NEEDS,

A. FACTS: TEENS
BEING USUALLY DISPERSED IN PEDIATRIC
OR ADULT FACILITIES WHERE THEY FEEL
STRESS, OUT OF PLACE, AND UNHAPPY
Cancer represents the leading cause of death for disease in the us af-
ter injuries, suicide, and homicide
AGES
15-19
Incident rates have increased an average of 0.8% per year since 1975
INCIDENCE
which converts cancer into an epidemic that is on the raise: 40% in-

Rate per 100,000 population

MALE
crease over the past 50 years MORTALITY
MALE

Survival rates in teens have not improved as much as they have for INCIDENCE
FEMALE
children in the last decades. The 5-year survival rate is 90% for girls
MORTALITY
and 83% for boys FEMALE

The type of cancer in teens represents a mix of the cancer that can
develop in adults and children, and there are only a few doctors who
focus only on teens with cancer Cancer incident rates for teens

B. CANCER IMPACT
TIME

CONTROL
Physical Pain, fatigue, physical changes

Psychological Uncertainty, lack of control, fear about the

DREAMS
future, separation from friends, stress, and
anxiety
SENSE OF PLACE
Time Overall treatment is long and can last up to
2-3 years. accumulative time of visits to can-
FREEDOM
cer center are cyclical, and they can be up to
100 times
SAFETY

School Absence of school and delays in reading, TIME

spelling, and maths FRIENDS

Financial Average cost $833,000 per patient

Factors to consider in Cancer Design

C. WHY TO FOCUS ON TEENS? ADOLESCENCE IS A LIMBO BETWEEN

Group at high risk coming of their unique developmental challenges in CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD
addition to general cancer stressors. Distinctive difficulties arise because teens
rapidly change their life circumstances and transition to adulthood YOUTH CHANGE FAST, AND HAS A HIGH-
ER GRAS OF TIME
They face additional challenges such as personal identity, independence and
autonomy, future life thoughts, trust, and moral ideas, and sexual and emotional
maturity

The fear of being rejected by others or seen as inferior is one of the worst ex-
periences that trigger stress and damage: teens need to feel peer group con-
nection and be surrounded by other young people

D. ENHANCE RECOVERY
Privacy & Social Interaction A space that promotes social connection but also
- SEMI-OPEN AREAS privacy help patients and families to cope with
- FLEXIBILITY AND CONTROL the illness, increase self-confidence,
- MOVABLE PARTITIONS independence, and well-being

First Impression The experience when entering into the center is

- COMFORT AND SAFETY critical, it affects user’s emotions in the space.
- REMOVE RECEPTION DESK (STRESS) Design should have positive distractors and
- ENGAGING AND WELCOMING convey familiarity

Positive distractors The physical environment directly impacts patient

- ACCESS TO DAYLIGHT satisfaction and perception of quality of care.
- MUSIC AND NATURAL IMAGES Positive distractors and aesthetically pleasing
- COMFORTABLE FURNITURE waiting areas reduce stress
- AVOID WHITE COLORS

Connection to Nature Recognizing nature mitigates stress and reduces

- PLANTS recovery. exposure to both direct and indirect
- MURALS WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS natural elements evoke calm and peace, providing
- NATURAL MATERIALS, COLORS, a supportive safe space
SHAPES, DAYLIGHT, FORM A WHOLE

Multisensory Experience Cancer patients are more sensitive to smells,

- AROMATHERAPY tactile, and sounds in general. Experiencing the
- PLEASANT SOUNDS, WHITE NOISE space with more senses create a healing
- TEXTURED MATERIALS environment and help users to have a positive
- BLANKETS FOR WARMTH memory of the space

Supportive Activities The availability of activities in addition to

- PLAY AND LEISURE treatment support the healing process, mitigate
- MUSIC, DANCE, ART THERAPY unpleasant emotional reactions to healthcare
- LIBRARY, SUPPORTIVE GROUPS settings, and improve health

Technology Digital tools facilitate communication and are a

- WIFI AND DEVICE CONNECTIVITY positive distractor reducing pain and depression
- CHECK-IN KIOSK in patients. innovation provides therapeutic
- DIMMABLE AND COLOR CONTROL benefits in oncology
- VIDEO GAMES, VIRTUAL REALITY

Sense of Control A design that evokes surveillance and lack of

- EASY WAYFINDING control increases anxiety and stress. design should
- CHOICES AND INDEPENDENCE provide a sense of control and expression of
- RETRACTABLE SCREENS freedom

E. PRECEDENT STUDIES - BIOPHILIA

- CONNECTOR PATHS
- MULTI-SENSORY
- NO PRIVACY
- CONTROL
- NO CONTROL
- SAFETY
- NO DAYLIGHT
- NO YOUTH-
- PRIVACY
ORIENTED DESIGN
- WARMTH
New
Adults outpatient infusion - DAYLIGHT
Design to Avoid Directions
- SENSE OF PLACE
- ORGANIC FORMS
- OVERSTIMULATING
- CHILDREN DESIGN
- PRIVACY CONTROL
- NO PRIVACY
- ART DISPLAY
- NO TEEN ACTIVITIES
- VARIETY OF SEATING
- NO SENSE OF PLACE
- WAYFINDING
Pediatric Outpatient - PLACE ATTACHMENT

Isaura Sagredo Gonzalez IA 587-Masters Thesis II Professor Fior Summer 2023

 DESIGN
A-KIN VERTICAL CIRCULATION

TEEN CANCER
PROPOSAL OPEN TO BELOW

CENTER
A BUILDING WITH HYBRID FUNCTIONS

A COMMUNITY CANCER CENTER TO CONNECT TEENS WITH

CANCER TO MAKE THEIR JOURNEY MORE POSITIVE AND EN- FLOOR 4
SKY ROOM
HANCE THEIR RECOVERY. TEENS WILL HAVE A LIBRARY
DESIGNATED SPACE WITH A DESIGN THAT RESPONDS TO ART THERAPY STUDIO
COMPUTER LAB & GAMING
THEIR NEEDS, WITH A COMBINATION OF TREATMENT,
OUTPATIENT - INFUSION
SUPPORT, AND JOY.

THIS HYBRID BUILDING WILL RESTORE THE PHYSICAL AND

EMOTIONAL LOST CONNECTIONS FROM CANCER AND IT
WILL BE BUILDING UP A COMMUNITY IN AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT EMBRACES THEM AND WILL FILL THEM
UP WITH HOPE AND MEANINGFUL MEMORIES.

01. USER 02. SITE ANALYSIS

Adolescents from ages 13-19 with cancer or previous expe- FLOOR 3
rience with the illness. the project welcomes teens from all OUTPATIENT-STAFF
the world, embracing an international atmosphere SUPPORT ROOMS
EDUCATIONAL ROOMS
Team who works in the outpatient and community areas
DANCE STUDIO
Family, relatives, and friends from teens are also welcomed MUSIC STAGE
AUDITORIUM

215 CHARLES ST, BOSTON, MA 02114

Liberty Hotel (2007 - TODAY)
Old Charles Street Jail (1851-1991) An opportunity to keep transforming the use of the
building and the experience of teens with cancer
different from traditional healthcare settings
SITE

Architectural landmark with elements from the

Renaissance and Romanesque periods. The build-
ing has a history of transformation from a jail into
a hotel which adds a mutable characteristic to the
Charles River
space that relates to the mutable needs of teens

Daylight through all the day

Views and access to nature FLOOR 2

WELCOMING AREA
Mass. General Views to Charles River and access to fresh air
Hospital CHECK-IN
T Urban site next to residential neighborhood WAITING AREA
Beacon Hill
OUTPATIENT - INFUSION
Access to public transportation within 1-5 ART GALLERY
minutes and private parking in the building BOUTIQUE SHOP & WELLNESS
Easily accessible from the highway

03. DESIGN CONCEPT

Kintsugi: the art of putting broken things
back together with gold. The repair associ-
ates with a healing process that celebrates
HOPE COMMUNITY the imperfections as beauty and resilience

The project applies Kintsugi principles by giving back to teens

each part that they have broken in their lifes because of cancer
ART
The celebration of restoring broken
connections from cancer
USER
STORIES CONTROL
SAFETY
ART
INDEPENDENCE
MUSIC
CONNECTION ORGANIC SHAPES
FLOOR 1
FINANCE HOPE DANCE
Broken connection with other teens: STAIRS TO ACCESS THE
creating a community that will enhance their re- DREAMS PROJECT IN FLOOR 2
SCHOOL
covery and healing PHYSICAL
EMOTIONS
Broken connection with physical activities: a APPEARANCE

space with activities designed for their needs

FRIENDS MOVEMENT
The circulation within the building with semi- PEER GROUP
SUPPORT
open areas and skywalks at different heights pro- SOCIAL
APPROVAL
motes connection between spaces and users

04. SCHEMATIC DESIGN 05. DESIGN FOR EMOTIONAL RESPONSE A CONNECTION OF FEELINGS WITH THE SPACE
ENTRY FIRST IMPRESSION CHECK-IN WAITING/EXPLORE TREATMENT

DESIGN 0 - Protection
- Hope
1 - Remove barriers (no reception desk)
- Welcomed and comfortable
2 - Sense of independence (kiosks)
- Choices (colors)
3 - Positive distractors
- Activities (joy and support)
4 - Sense of independence and choices
- Easy wayfinding
FINDINGS - Stairs covered for - Warm materials and color temperature - Warm materials and color temperature - Hybrid environment for teens - Warm materials and access to daylight
shelter - Human scale, lower ceilings - Human scale, lower ceilings - Flexibility and choices - Change on ceiling height
- Place attachment: map of the world - Place attachment: map of the world - Impactful design - Place attachment: interactive screens
CONNECTION SENSE OF MULTI- - Sense of community: kintsugi bowl - Sense of community: kintsugi bowl - Choice for social interaction or privacy - Calm and relaxing atmosphere
TO NATURE CONTROL SENSORY

EMOTIONAL SENSE OF
PRIVACY
RESPONSE COMMUNITY

Community
JOY TREATMENT SUPPORT
AKIN= JOINERY

BUBBLE
DIAGRAMS FLOOR 1

ARTS
OUTPATIENT THERAPY
(INFUSION) COMPUTER LAB
BOUTIQUE
GAMES

CHECK-
IN

LIBRARY
ART
ALL FLOORS GALLERY

WELCOME

ENTRY SKY ROOM

ATRIUM
(CONNECTOR)

LEGEND SENSES
DANCE FLOOR 3
STUDIO
GARDEN
PUBLIC
SEMI-PUBLIC ALL MUSIC
AUDITORIUM

PRIVATE FLOORS STUDIO

1
SUNLIGHT SUPPORT

FIRST IMPRESSION - FLOOR 2

GROUPS
DIRECT RELATIONSHIP FLOOR 2
INDIRECT RELATIONSHIP
ENTRANCE - FLOOR 2
06. FLOOR PLAN 08. ATRIUM / WAITING / COMMUNITY

Scale 1/8’’ = 1’ - 0’’

C5
C4

C1
C3

C6

C2
FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:

FLOOR 2 A3

A2

B13 B12 B12 B3 B4 B3

A2

B2

B8
A1
B10
B7 B1
B11
B14 B15
B10 B9 A6

A4
B12
A4
B6 B6 B5
B13 B13 B12 A4

A5
TREATMENT (B)
B1. MULTISENSORIAL PORTAL
B2. RECEPTION
B3. EXAM ROOM
B4. STORAGE
B5. TELEMEDICINE
B6. CONSULTATION ROOM
B7. CLEAN SUPPLY
B8. SOILED WORKROOM
COMMUNITY AREA (A) B9 EVS SUPPORT/JOY (C)
A1. ENTRANCE STAIRS/ELEVATOR B10. RESTROOM C1. ART GALLERY
A2. WELCOMING LOBBY B11. NURSE STATION C2. BOUTIQUE DISPLAY
A3. CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION B12. INFUSION BAYS C3. BOUTIQUE SHOP
A4. WAITING AREAS B13. INFUSION BAYS C4. WELLNESS SALOON
A5. MUSIC PODS B14. NOURISHMENT C5. STORAGE
A6. SENSORY GARDEN B15. LAB C6. RESTROOMS

www.autodesk.com/revit

07. REFLECTED CEILING PLAN -

-
Consultant
Address
Address
Address
Phone

FLOOR 2 Scale 1/8’’ = 1’ - 0’’

Consultant
Address
Address
Address
Phone

LIGHTING FIXTURES
Consultant
Address
Address
Address
Phone

Consultant
Address
Natural warmth inspired by Spotlight effect for corridors Flexible and adjustable for Address
Address
sustainability and wellness teen’s needs Phone

Consultant
Address
Address
Address
Phone

Nature inspired. Its brilliant Play between color and Acoustic properties from felt,
RCP LEGEND
structure protects the animal form glare-free soft light diffuse light, soft textures, and
RECESSED LED DOWN LIGHT 3’’
sustainability - focal point
DOWN LIGHT LED DUO CEILING LAMP (VIBIA)
DOWN LIGHT LED DOMO LAMP (VIBIA)
PENDANT LED LEAF LIGHT (GREEN FURNITURE CONCEPT)
PENDANT ADJUSTABLE LIGHT- AIM (FLOS)
FLOOR LAMP TATOU FLOOR (FLOS)
LED STRIP LIGHT
TRACK LIGHTING
No. Description MULTI-SENSORY
Date GARDEN 4
TROFFER LIGHT LAMP

Owner

Project Name
RCP

Project Number Project Number

Date Issue Date
Drawn By Author
Checked By Checker
7/26/2023 7:35:09 PM

A108
Scale 1" = 20'-0"

CHECK-IN / REGISTRATION - FLOOR 2 2

 09. TREATMENT
The user has the freedom to choose between social interaction or privacy
A comfortable and safe space connected with daylight and natural materials and patterns.
All the infusion bays have access to windows and exterior views which decreases patients stress
The change of ceiling heights provides a sense of compression and release through the infusion

MATERIALS

MARMOLEUM MARMOLEUM MICROBICIDAL MICROBICIDAL MICROBICIDAL CORIAN VINYL WALLPAPER

WOOD BLUE BLUE PAINT ORANGE PAINT ORANGE PAINT WHITE w/COLOR FLORAL MOTIF

Arched ceiling for Visual and acoustical

protection and safety privacy, music and color choice
inside the half dome

Photo projection from Warm materials - white oak

teens choice wood slats

Perforated metal walls

with light reflection- a
hug from the clouds

Music, smell, and color Pods with easy reconfiguration

selection to reduce stress to allow different connections
before treatment with others

TRANSITION FROM WAITING TO TREATMENT

Emily
TREATMENT - FLOOR 2 4
The transitional spaces
between waiting areas and
treatment play an important role in Antimicrobial
the psychology of the user, and can Skylight with opacity control
sheer drappery
help to reduce their stress before infu-
sion Patient name identification EMILY

The project responds to these Corian surface

transitional spaces with
corridors where technology allows to Tablet with WIFI
choose the color of the room, a par- Soft pad to release
ticular smell or sound, and project a pressure from the body
picture in the door with an app from
IV pole opening
the patient phone
PRIVATE POD
Virtual reality and olfactory
technology helps to create a
multisensorial experience.

ATRIUM / WAITING AREA 3 CORRIDOR PRIOR TREATMENT 4

LED LIGHTING SOURCE

EXISTING WOOD TRUSSES

ART INSTALLATION WITH

COLOR ON THE BACK DISPERSES
LIGHT WITH REFLECTIVE OBJECTS
WHICH HAVE MEANING FROM
THE CANCER COMMUNITY

ELEVATOR

MAINTENANCE FLOOR
(NOT HABITABLE SPACE)

INFUSION LIBRARY
(OUTPATIENT)
STAIRS CONNECTING THE ATRIUM
OPEN TO BELOW
SUPPORT / MENTORING STUDIOS
CARE TEAM OFFICES
(OUTPATIENT)
ART GALLERY

NOURISHMENT GLASS DOME COVERING STAIRS

(OUTPATIENT)
WELCOMING RECEPTION (KINTSUGI)

EXISTING ENTRANCE FROM

RESTAURANT AT GRADE LEVEL

10. BUILDING SECTION

TREATMENT - FLOOR 2 4