How experience design is shaping the progress of landmark cancer centers
January 27, 2026
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The experiences of a cancer patient are often isolating and stressful, despite the rising number of new diagnoses every year in tandem with more individuals living longer with cancer than ever before.
As healthcare organizations build and adapt spaces on their campuses and in their communities to accommodate the broadening spectrum of cancer screening, diagnosis, care and monitoring, they are also tailoring these spaces to the specific needs of cancer patients, their caretakers and the clinical staff.
With many high-profile cancer center projects underway, our design teams are helping our healthcare clients rethink the cancer patient journey in a number of ways, from how they move from appointment to appointment, to using ethnography to tailor patient resources, to being touchstones for the surrounding community. Below are some updates on a few of these projects and how they are elevating the cancer care experience:
Mount Sinai Medical Center, Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center
Opening Spring 2026
Its curved form visible from the causeway that connects Miami Beach to the mainland, the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center is a testament to resilience, stunning design and a patient-first experience.
With equal focus on both physical and mental well-being, the center will provide state-of-the-art cancer care services, treatments and resources alongside luxury amenities. The new 220,000-sf building allows for an expanded oncology urgent care clinic that focuses on early interventions to avoid emergency department visits and unneeded hospitalizations. Support resources include nutrition classes, physical therapy, massage services, meditation classes, a dedicated spa and more.
As a waterfront building, ensuring its resiliency in the face of high-impact climate events was paramount. The building’s lowest floor elevation is raised more than six feet above the seawall elevation. The concrete building’s façade undulates like waves, reflective of the shoreline it sits upon.
How design shapes the experience: Inverting the traditional relationship between major public spaces and entry, the interior public concourse is placed along the back of the building, facing the Biscayne Bay and center’s outdoor healing garden. The arrival area connects the front entry to the garden with a ceiling which gradually rises, creating a feeling of expansion, compelling movement towards the views of the water. Clinical waiting areas, infusion bays and public spaces are centered on views of the water and away from parking lots, traffic or garages.
UChicago Medicine, AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion
Opening 2027
Seeking to bridge the longstanding health disparities prevalent on the South Side for decades, UChicago Medicine is building Chicago’s first freestanding cancer center with inpatient and outpatient services alongside a wide variety of community prevention and education services.
The AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion will span 575,000-sf with room for future expansion and includes 80 inpatient beds (64 medical-surgical beds and a 16-bed ICU), 90 consultation and outpatient exam rooms and a dedicated urgent care clinic to protect immunocompromised cancer patients from extended emergency room visits and hospital stays. Private infusion bays will be grouped by cancer type for patient comfort and privacy.
The building also focuses on patient efficiency. The Pavilion offers two different reception areas. One for established cancer patients and the other for screening and/or visitors. This eases the arrival process for all patients. Additionally, most patient spaces are clustered around diagnosis and treatment spaces to help keep cancer patients close to the services they most need
How design shapes the experience: The design aimed to rethink how the ground floor, public-facing space was used. How could it give space back to the campus via an open glass facade and accessible public services on the ground floor. The idea was to make the building as transparent as possible, and not like a closed off sterile clinical space.
Memorial Sloan Kettering, Kenneth C. Griffin Pavilion
Opening 2030
As a new addition to the New York City skyline, standing at 27 stories, the Kenneth C. Griffin Pavilion at Memorial Sloan Kettering will build upon its world-renowned reputation as a destination for first class cancer care. As rates of cancer diagnoses continue to increase alongside the number of cancer survivors, the Pavilion will be home to a broad spectrum of treatments and follow up care that can evolve alongside cancer care.
With 208 additional inpatient beds, the pavilion builds upon MSKCC’s world-renowned reputation and existing campus as a destination for first class cancer care. The spectrum of treatments and follow up care is constantly evolving and growing, and this Pavilion is designed to shift with it.
How design shapes the experience: Hundreds of interviews were conducted with patients, caregivers, and staff members of all different backgrounds by our Blue Cottage of CannonDesign Experience Strategy team. This ethnographic data from people of varying ethnicities, languages spoken, income and more informed the four design guideposts used throughout the project: Sense of belonging, progress is sacred, environment contributes to healing and future-facing and flexible. For example, every employee, clinician and visitor will wear a RFID badge that automatically displays their name and title on the patients' TV so they know who they are speaking with.
Cleveland Clinic, Fairview Campus Cancer Center
Opening 2027
The new, integrated, cancer center and medical office building is part of the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital Master Plan. The new building will be located on the same site, but will replace the existing Moll Cancer Center, which was built in the 1980s. The four-floor building will be approximately 150,000-sf and house cancer services including: radiation oncology, infusion, and medical oncology, supporting imaging, pharmacy and a clinical lab.
The building is connected to the broader Fairview Hospital campus via a pedestrian bridge, providing easy access and wayfinding for staff, patients and families. The site design organically integrates with the adjacent Metroparks. It supports wellbeing of staff and patients and engages its local community, offering a lush green space, including native plantings, walking paths and activity zones around the building.
Its design is inspired in the adjacent shale cliff, and its exterior features a curved facade as well as bird-friendly floor-to-ceiling windows. Infusion and medical oncology services are on the top floor to take advantage of the expansive river and park views. Along its main road, Lorain Avenue, a double-height entry lobby supports arrival and pedestrian experience with open views and modern artwork.
How design shapes the experience: To maximize the site potential and destigmatize cancer care, there will be an integrated ambulatory clinic program that houses multiple specialty service lines as well as a breast health center, and women’s and children’s health services. The combined building consolidates the most in-demand services under one roof for patient convenience and operational efficiencies.
