ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
her first oncology-related project : she has worked on more than 20 projects over the course of her career , including seven major integrated cancer treatment centres . She adds that “ the concept of the healing garden is not new , and we have been working toward perfecting it for 20 years , adapting it to the context and scale of each project .” As well as contributing to the creation of a healing environment by providing soothing views to patients at different stages of care – in particular to chemotherapy patients , whose treatments take several hours – the courtyard gardens and green rooftops provide several environmental benefits .
“ Vegetation planted on rooftops provides excellent ecological services : it helps protect biodiversity , mitigates noise and heat islands , retains rainwater , improves air quality and captures greenhouse gases .
In its relation to the research centre and critical care wing , currently under construction , the CIC also includes a glassed-in hallway on its façade to ensure a supply of natural light to the courtyard . Based on the guiding idea of “ gardens for all ,” people benefit on one side from a view of the courtyard and on the other of a future garden that will be built in front of the CIC , on the Henri-Bourassa Blvd . side .
ART INTEGRATED WITH ARCHITECTURE
Within the framework of the Politique d ’ intégration des arts à l ’ architecture et à l ’ environnement des bâtiments et des sites gouvernementaux et publics ( policy for the integration of the arts into the architecture and environment of government and publicsector sites and buildings ), strategic locations were identified to ensure that as many people as possible would benefit from exposure to art and so that the art would function as privacy screens for patients undergoing treatment . “ Everyone , whether they have expertise in art or not , can appreciate the benefits of art in their life . These pieces also serve as landmarks , helping people get their bearings and find their way around more easily ,” said Raynald St-Hilaire , associate architect at Lemay and lead designer of the new hospital complex . Three artists from Quebec were invited to beautify the CIC ’ s care areas .
Based on the wishes of the members of the selection committee , the artwork to be created for the inner courtyard had to be approximately 12 metres tall so that as many patients as possible can see it from every treatment floor . Accordingly , artist Patrick Beaulieu proposed an immense bronze sculpture of conifer trees , Éclaircie , in which a myriad of gold-tinted aluminum clusters recall bright sunbeams in a forest clearing . “ The work evokes the regeneration of vegetation through light – photosynthesis – and thus of all life on Earth . From the courtyard , the patio and the green rooftop , we discover the temporal thread inherent to the work , which takes us from seed to tree and from root to crown , to the life force , the regenerative energy that converges to nurture life .”
Inside , a series of works by Ivan Binet called Échos – Passages , Vases-montagnes et Écho du ciel was carefully positioned on three levels at the intersection of the CIC and the future research centre , so that the work can be seen by as many people as possible . Exploring the concept of landscape , these large inkjet prints on backlit tempered glass are panoramic images of the natural landscapes of eastern Quebec – the regions served by the CIC .
Two screen works , La valse des fleurs by Émilie Rondeau , are placed outside , facing the glassed-in ground-floor treatment rooms . They provide necessary privacy , while still letting light through for the benefit of patients and care staff . “ The composition evokes resilience and hope . The pieces are arranged in successive waves and undulations that form a path lined with reassurance , generosity and renewal .”
ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
The core issue when designing a centre of this type is to have a thorough understanding of the medical technologies used and the requirements of specialized devices , so that all spaces are highly functional , safe and pleasant for patients and staff .
Each sector has its own complexities . In radiotherapy , for example , shielded walls must be built to contain the radiation . In every sector where radioactive or hazardous materials are used , the spaces must be judiciously designed to avoid any and all contamination . Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) scanners are sensitive and can easily be disrupted by automobile traffic or magnetic fields from other devices , so their placement must be carefully considered . All of these constraints add complexity to the architectural design process , which can sometimes become a real puzzle . They require large numbers of specialized contributors , each with a different piece of the puzzle .
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The project meets all technical requirements established by the SQI for hospital projects of this scale : optimization of energy consumption , use of materials low in VOCs and / or with recycled content , and improvements in the implementation of electromechanical systems and the building envelope . The CIC is notable for the inclusion of numerous green spaces , which have benefits for both people and the environment . For example , the rooftop gardens act as thermal insulators and extend the lifespan of roofs by protecting membranes from thermal shock and ultraviolet light . While their initial cost is higher than conventional
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