Taking Cancer Care Into the Future The building will also allow for new technologies and innovation—a cornerstone of NYP’s healthcare mission—to find a home within the physical plant. “ From a resiliency standpoint, we’re thinking a lot about flexibility,” Gang says. “New technology will come, and the building will need to accommodate that. So the grids we’re designing are flexible for the future. From the ceiling heights to the spans of the floors, there’s capacity to adapt.” A cancer center of this size and stature requires space for mechanical and technical elements. The building stack puts much of the mechanical equipment on a middle floor to maximize views and sunlight for patients on the upper floors. Gang, a master of shaping natural light, will use energy-efficient glass to reduce glare and maintain a comfortable interior temperature. “ Having access to daylight, greenery, water, and nature—what we often call biophilia— makes you feel good,” Gang says. Green space will be visible nearly everywhere, and ample views out to the Hudson River will provide a built-in ‘wow’ factor.” Patients and visitors can find moments of rest and reflection in a number of areas, including private cozy nooks, seats by windows with stunning city and river views, and a tranquil café. Ultimately, Gang wants the building to fulfill NYP’s #1 guiding principle: to put patients first.
“
The center is designed to build confidence. It will make people feel like themselves.”
GANG’S NEW YORK: From left, Solar Carve on the High Line, the Rescue Company 2 firehouse in Brooklyn, Upper West Side’s Gilder Center. Below: a rendering of the cancer care building.
“ This new building represents our vision of providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care. From inviting interiors that mitigate stress and promote integrated care to ample space for innovative cancer research and groundbreaking clinical trials, we’re considering each patient’s overall well-being to maximize their chances of achieving a positive outcome. And we’re not only thinking of patients, but also their families and communities as well as our physicians, providers, staff and trainees. Our accessible and inclusive spaces will create exciting opportunities for collaboration, investigation, and discovery.” Dr. Anil K. Rustgi Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center