Location
  • Calgary, AB
Client
  • Alberta Health Services
Anticipated Completion
2024
Size
  • 109,369 sq m
  • 1,177,238 sq ft
Sustainability
  • Targeting LEED® Gold certification
Collaborators
  • PCL Construction Management Inc. 
  • Smith + Andersen
  • Stantec Consulting Inc.
DIALOG Services
  • Architecture
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Planning & Urban Design
  • Structural Engineering
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The new Calgary Cancer Centre will centralize treatment and care for cancer patients in southern Alberta. Symbolizing the type of care a patient can expect to receive, the design features two curving L-shaped forms that come together in an embrace surrounding an all-season garden as the “heart,” providing year-round access and views to nature for patients and their families.

DIALOG, in collaboration with Stantec, is responsible for the architectural and interior design as well as structural, mechanical and electrical engineering. DIALOG is also providing landscape architecture, planning and urban design.
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calgary cancer centre exterior evening
Large Scale The new Calgary Cancer Centre will become the largest cancer treatment and research facility in Canada and the second largest in North America.
calgary cancer centre exterior east view
Centralized treatment Shaped around a seven-story podium building and six-story tower, the design of the building signals a shift in what is expected of modern healthcare facilities.
calgary cancer centre nursing station
Complete care The geometry and forms from the exterior building podium are carried through the two-story volume and reinforce the sense of entry into the building.
calgary cancer centre exterior courtyard
Designed for sustainability A sensitive mapping solution centred around the internal “heart” courtyard considers wind flow, sun shadows, and iconic views to ensure patients are guided by and exposed to nature.
calgary cancer centre interior patient room
Peaceful environment Targeting LEED Gold, the building is engineered to provide noise and vibration-free environments that promote patient healing.
calgary cancer centre interior lab
Complete cancer care The Centre will contain inpatient units, outpatient clinics, radiation therapy vaults and medical research lab spaces.
calgary cancer centre town square
Long design life Architecture is being used primarily as a vehicle to elicit a psychological response to bring into being feelings of trust, comfort, and resilience for patients, family, and staff.

Meet The Team

See more team members
Hospitals are traditionally designed to access oriented to the interior, which makes wayfinding difficult. Designing from the outside in, light can elegantly penetrate common areas, which is central to health and healing.
DIALOG-Stantec Healthcare Team
Sketch 1

How we got here

It started with a sketch Two L-shaped structures embrace an inner courtyard, like a healing embrace.
Sketch 2

Design Process 01

The concept is expanded

What if a building could give a hug? This concept is refined through a rendering showing the building on the site from above.

Sketch 3

Design Process 02

The sketch takes on more detail

The building takes shape around the central courtyard.

Model overhead

Design Process 03

The sketch becomes a model

The design idea comes to life in 3D.

calgary cancer centre early construction

Design Process 04

Construction begins

The project broke ground in 2017.

Designing for hope: The Calgary Cancer Centre

Take a virtual tour of the new Calgary Cancer Centre.

calgary cancer centre exterior evening

In the news

Related Stories

Awards

2018 Design and Engineering Award, CanBIM

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