RSHP’s New Cancer Centre at Guy's Tops Out

RSHP are part of international construction and engineering company Laing O’Rourke’s RIBA design competition-winning team that also includes specialist healthcare architect Stantec and structural and building services engineering consultancy Arup.

Designed with complete focus on the patient and staff experience, the building maximises its restricted floor plate through the use of zoning and stacked ‘villages’ while creating a visually striking addition to the capital’s London Bridge Quarter. The design offers a clear strategy that will allow the building to respond to medical developments in the future, as well as providing an open and welcoming environment for end-users.

Notably, the new Cancer Centre will be the first cancer centre in the UK to wholly locate its radiotherapy treatment facilities above ground floor level - a key design decision following patient feedback, which will transform the patient experience, giving people access to natural light and outside views.

Ivan Harbour, Partner and lead designer, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, said: “We’re very proud of The Cancer Centre at Guy’s, which aims to balance clinical gain with patient care by combining a welcoming and uplifting environment with state-of-the-art treatment facilities. Designed on a human scale to provide the best possible experience for patients and their families, it also has the flexibility to adapt and actively support change in clinical and accommodation needs over time.”

Demolition of the existing building and groundworks commenced onsite in February 2013, which included archaeology works to ensure the preservation of the remains of a wooden Roman boat located four metres below ground level of the hospital and occupying approximately one third of the building footprint.

The building’s frame completes in March 2015, with the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s scheduled to handover in Spring 2016.