Project Data:

Completion Date:     3/23/2023

Square Footage:      34548

Building Use:           Cancer Center

Project Description:

The Patty and George Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach is an existing cancer center that was originally built in 1990 and is connected to the main hospital. The project scope was to rebuild and refresh the existing lobby, infusion, admin and conferencing on the second floor (main entry point) and expand the infusion program and build a new compounding pharmacy. The third floor was previously serving as clinic and administration space was completely demolished to make way for a new Surgical and Medical Oncology clinic. The planning phase was extensive with many key stakeholder end users' involvement to best grow the program within the existing footprint, while also design a center that could be recognized as top-of-the-line care and patient experience supporting Hoags comprehensive cancer care program. The overall look and feel were refreshed to represent the Hoag brand and visual, while also working to provide maximum flexibly and personal choice within the design to create a truly patient and care giver centric experience.

The project scope includes a new USP 797 and 800 complaint compounding pharmacy for preparations of chemotherapy drugs and other infusions to be administered on site. During the course of construction, the pharmacy operations team opted to reselect compounding hood equipment and install additional equipment that was originally designed for future implementation. Recalibration of mechanical systems to accommodate new equipment, as well as updated room organization to address resizing of equipment took quick collaboration and integration of not only the design team and user groups, but also the involvement of the medical equipment planning team and sterile room certification contractor to ensure the updated design would meet licensing criteria for Board of Pharmacy.

The development of a comprehensive OSHPD 3 outpatient medical clinic in an existing OSHPD 1 building presented a series of challenges. The design team investigated whether it was advantageous to the owner to remove the building from OSHPD (now HCAI ) jurisdiction and put it in the court of the local Newport Beach jurisdiction for permitting. The team weighed whether the time up from for jurisdictional change would be beneficial for this and possible future projects helping to streamline review and reducing overall cost due to post-seismic event operational expectations. Ultimately the facility decided that maintain the existing OSHPD 1 infrastructure was most beneficial for the future of the campus.

A particular design challenge included balancing department and patient needs to accommodate transition planning for maintenance of operations while in construction. The construction schedule was planned for one year, and a portion of the existing building would remain in operation, treating both in- and outpatient in the lower-level radiation oncology department. The design team worked with the facilities planning team to identify the space on campus to temporarily house patient care. This make-ready work included phased plans and a review by the local jurisdiction for approval of OSHPD 3 care spaces.

Design for Integration, Design for Well-being 

Design for Integration - Due to the complex nature of the building construction to meet California OSHPD 1 requirements and the lesser level of acuity for the tenant improvement to meet OSHPD 3 design requirements, the design team integrated the engineering team from the very start. Navigating existing building infrastructure meant quality hours spent reviewing record drawings, interviewing facility maintenance engineers, and validating findings through thorough building investigation. This level of understanding allowed for selective reuse of infrastructure and identification of items with potential long-lead impacts and how those could be advanced on parallel timelines to expedite delivery.
Early on in design we inventoried our numerous stakeholder groups. These included operators, care teams (advocates, physicians, nursing staff, and more) patients, community, and design team members. Throughout design we held these groups in consideration, meeting periodically with teams for feedback on flow, operations, patient experience, and maintenance needs. While the brick and mortar expectations of a complete project are often easier to grasp, we wanted to make sure to prioritize patients in this space where care processes often include long days and many months. During the course of the work, unfortunately, the owner’s project manager began undergoing cancer treatment. Though not ideal, they were able to provide firsthand feedback on ways the design team could best offer choice within the built environment to increase autonomy and improve patient experience. This resulted in several different sectors within the infusion care space that offer private bays with beds, private bays with recliners, and community bays that allow for maximum socialization.


Design for Well-being - This renovation project delivers a new experience for patients undergoing cancer treatment in Newport Beach and the surrounding areas, with a deep focus on providing a truly patient-centered approach. The design team worked closely with staff and user teams to develop an ideal operational flow for the care team and the patient journey, understanding that patients often stay within the facility for multiple hours and sometimes need to see multiple provider types during a single visit.
The project includes a second-floor infusion center and pharmacy, grounded by an expansive double-height waiting room and window-lined reception area. The project team paid particular attention in the infusion area to designating flexible spaces for differing levels of social interaction, ensuring patient autonomy in selecting their preferred level of socialization. Central to the infusion area is a space for friends, family, and caregivers to comfortably wait while patients are in treatment. Subtle elements like opacity gradients in glass partitions create a sense of spatial delineation and privacy for patients while maintaining sightlines and access for staff. The focal point of the space is the nearly 180-degree view of the ocean from two intersecting walls that overlook the Pacific.
A third-floor medical oncology clinic provides flexible space for rotating providers, understanding that oncologists provide care from multiple locations, including surgical settings, and require the utmost flexibility in the clinical care environment. To this end, the team fastidiously explored layouts, furniture, and finishes in exam rooms within the medical oncology clinic through eight mock-ups with multiple doctors and providers to determine the ideal layout. The rooms are designed to support a non-clinical exchange between providers and patients, creating an atmosphere of calm and collaboration.
Beyond the clinical spaces, the redesign of the cancer center refocuses on the patient experience by recognizing the holistic impacts of cancer care in patients’ lives. Learning and wellness space support the facility’s clinical functionality—including massage, acupuncture, yoga, and conference and dining areas.

Completion Date:     3/23/2023

Square Footage:      34548

Building Use:           Cancer Center

Location:                 Newport Beach, CA

Boulder Associates

N/A

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Degenkolb Engineers - Structural
WSP (TK1SC) - MEP

N/A

Healthcare Design & Construction

Jacobs Engineering Group. Inc - PM/CM
MEQA - Medical Equipment Planning

Caleb Tkach