From Mighty Oaks

On the bright side, treatments have improved dramatically. Today, 50% of people diagnosed with cancer live more than ten years, which is double the survival rate of 40 years ago. However, this progress has also put more strain on the NHS. According to The Royal Marsden, cancer care activity is growing by double digits each year. To keep up with this demand and improve survival rates further, the BDP-designed Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton is stepping in to speed up the translation of cutting-edge research into practical care.

The Royal Marsden works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research, located next door, to test new research directly on patients. They call this process “bench to bedside.” The Oak Cancer Centre was designed to support this process by bringing researchers and clinicians together under one roof. This setup encourages interaction and collaboration, helping to advance research more effectively—a model used by top life sciences institutions like the Francis Crick Institute in London.

The centre features a spacious atrium with a striking staircase and lift, and timber slats made from concrete with a wood veneer to meet fire safety standards. What sets the Oak Cancer Centre apart is its inclusion of patients in the research process, allowing for quick testing and refinement of treatments based on patient feedback.

Before the centre was built, researchers were spread out across different buildings, which isolated their work. Now, with 400 researchers and 200 healthcare professionals, such as nurses, all in one place, there's much more interaction. This integration reduces patient anxiety by placing clinical and research areas together. The first floor is dedicated to research, sandwiched between two treatment floors, so researchers and patients share the second floor. The research areas combine open-plan and private offices, letting small teams work closely together.

Every aspect of the design emphasises the importance of integrating research into clinical areas. This not only increases patient awareness of ongoing research but also provides a comforting presence. The centre also includes a separate diagnostics area to minimise patient anxiety, ensuring those coming in for tests won’t see patient undergoing treatment.

At the Oak Cancer centre, the design has ultimately created a high-quality environment for patients who might spend all day receiving treatments. Natural light and external views are maximised, and patients have the option to socialise or seek privacy.

Everything here is designed to help beat cancer in a supportive and calming environment. We know researchers are already using the building, clinical spaces are welcoming patients and we’ve already seen that the facility has enhanced collaboration among staff. Furthermore, it is expected to attract pharmaceutical companies for drug trials, further advancing cancer treatment and reducing the devastating impact of the disease on people’s lives.