Located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), is New York City’s biggest, self-contained cancer care facility. An ambitious project from the outset, the gargantuan 750,000-square-foot MSK cancer center stands at twenty-five-stories, and provides expansive views of both the East River and city skyline. With around 1,600 employees, it is anticipated that the MSK Cancer Center will treat 1,300 outpatients daily, in a truly holistic setting—one that embraces cutting-edge technology, comfort, tranquillity, and wellness. With an increasing understanding of the role played by light in positively affecting health and wellness, LZF has seen a growth in the use of many of its lamps in healthcare settings, such as the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care.

Several partners were involved in planning and developing the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care: Mary-Jean Eastman of global architecture firm Perkins Eastman, Lionel Ohayon of creative design studio ICRAVE, and Todd Schliemann of Ennead Architects. These three firms worked closely with Suzen Heeley, the Executive Director of Design and Construction at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Overseeing all interior design projects for MSK, Heeley believes in offering patients ‘a sense of safety and serenity’, and an experience that feels ‘like a warm hug’.

With the newly built David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care, MSK was keen to explore how design, technology, and innovation, can improve the cancer care experience of patients, families, and carers. Founded in 1884, MSK is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center, and is renowned for its patient-centered care. It was thus important that the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care should offer a welcoming environment, reflecting the care of patients, and winning their trust and confidence. Indeed, the building was designed to be an active participant in a patient’s treatment and care.

Throughout the hotel-like space, different areas have been thoughtfully designed, paying attention to a number of key components, including: lighting, sound, temperature, texture, decoration, and furnishings. The center’s varied surroundings offer places to interact and connect, to sit as part of a group, or spend time alone. The overall design carefully considers the importance of both ambience and light to a patient’s care and well-being. Renée Joosten, lighting design director at ICRAVE, worked with MSK to create a balanced and cohesive lighting design scheme for the center. As part of the lighting scheme, a number of LZF’s lights were specified: the I-Club Slim and Cuad, both designed by Burkhard Dämmer; the Spiro, designed by Remedios Simon; and the Chou Short, designed by Yonoh Creative Studio. In addition, LZF’s Paisley screen, designed by Luis Eslava Studio, features.

The David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is without doubt a pioneering initiative. The center was recently the winner of a 2020 NYCxDESIGN Award in Health and Wellness. The intelligent combination of architecture, design, innovation, and technology, and a patient-centric approach, has led to the creation of a first-class cancer care facility.

UPDATE (16 December 2020): MSK has won Interior Design magazine’s ‘Best of Year’ (BOY) award in the healthcare category.