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Major Hospital's Benesse Oncology Center was designed to look noninstitutitional and to create a warm and comforting atmosphere for patients. Benesse comes from the Latin, "bene esse," for "comfort and well-being."
The cancer center contains a 32,000-sq.-ft. oncology center on the first floor with a 16,000-sq.-ft. open shell on the second level for future development. The basement area houses mechanical, electrical and elevator systems, as well as access for a possible expansion.
The exterior has a unique design that features several different building elevations and brick, aluminum, storefront, butt-glazed curtain wall, premanufactured wall panels and limestone.
The design team overcame budget limits by concentrating on massing relationships with simple materials used in dramatic ways. A variety of brick colors, metal panels and curtain wall are used on the exterior.
The interior was constructed with high-end finishes. Lobby entrances and waiting areas contain terrazzo and have high ceilings and custom lighting. The central gathering area includes a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the healing garden.
Eighteen custom-stained glass panels were installed, and other original art is in the facility.
Treatment areas used star field lighting - more than 12,000 fiber-optic lights to represent a typical Midwestern sky - in the ceilings to create constellation patterns for patients to view during treatment.
Construction, Safety Issues
The project began during the winter months when the ground was frozen to 3 ft. As a result, excavation was slow, and large equipment was brought in to compensate.
Because the project was phased, it needed to be coordinated precisely to accommodate for starting each new phase on schedule. Because the exterior skin uses several construction materials, coordinating these materials and subcontractors was necessary.
There was resolve to maintain safety and avoid serious incident or injury throughout construction. Hazards discovered during random safety audits were addressed.
Almost all subcontractors corrected infractions. Products that caused fumes, mists or vapors were watched.
Because of these precautions, the project had no lost-time or restricted work time accidents.
The jury said, "It has great interior spaces. Patients will go there and want to be cured."
Key Players
Owner:
Major Hospital, Shelbyville, Ind.
Construction Manager:
Meyer Najem Construction, Fishers, Ind.
Architect:
BSA LifeStructures, Indianapolis
Interior Design:
Maregatti Interiors, Indianapolis
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