Env’tal Psych & Thedacare Cancer Center

I went to the open house for the new Thedacare Cancer Center. I went there with an eye for architecture and design that welcomes clients and provides an open, safe, and non-clinical environment.

The wood slats across the upper windows is dual purpose for aesthetics and also preventing the sun to bake clients and employees. A design aspect that was overlooked at Encircle. Much of the artificial light is balanced with an abundance of natural sources through windows and skylights.

I’m not sure if I would have approved of a plant scheme throughout the space whose common name is “Mother-in-law’s tongue!” However it is nice to see real greenery throughout rather than artificial.

The colors and textures throughout blend together very nicely. All of the art prints on the walls are metal or canvas, so they can be cleaned and sanitized. They said that most of the art came from local artists. Another reason why I went was to see if they needed any nature photography. Because if you go to Encircle’s Mammography department, you’ll see a collection of 35 flower photos of mine that I gave them to fulfill the natural feeling they needed.

I absolutely loved that clients had the choice between receiving their chemotherapy in an open group environment or a private room. I think the open space option really lends to a community support atmosphere. You never want to feel like you’re alone, and the open concept really lends to opportunities for connecting with other families going through the same circumstances.

The only thing I didn’t like was the dark yellow cream paint color near where the radiation machine is located. I’m not sure if it was a purposeful color choice for the presence of radiation. I would suggest a different color. Maybe a vinyl brown wood or brown which is used as an accent wall across from two patients’ cancer survival stories. As soon as I saw that dark yellow cream color I had an operating room/surgical feeling in my gut. It was an immediate trigger in my brain.