DESIGN[URE] CANCER CARING CENTER HEALTHCARE + ARCHITECTURE + SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Comprehensive Design Proposal Fall 2011-Spring 2012 The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York
Michael Cheng
DESIGN[URE] CANCER CARING CENTER February 1, 2011
Part I. Statement of Purpose Thesis/ Comprehensive Design Proposal: What is the architectural cure for breast cancer? How can architecture empower patients to battle cancer? What is architecture’s role in the recovery of breast cancer patients? Comprehensive Design Objectives: • Explore design solutions for an architectural cure for breast cancer. • Explore design solutions that empower patients to battle cancer. • Mainly provide a local breast cancer center for Staten Island residents. • Provide a stable economic healthcare facility that acts as a catalyst for future development. • This facility will act as the non profit’s direct connection to the community for cancer outreach, education and post surgery treatment. • Provide space for community support groups for breast cancer patients. • Provide the center with a revenue generating, flexible facility that the community can use during off hours. • Be an icon on the Stapleton waterfront. Area of Interest: Staten Island has the most breast cancer cases in the city according to the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene; however the best sources of treatment are in Manhattan. Breast cancer kills about 1,260 people in New York City every year yet 23% of women 40 and older have not had a recent mammogram. 1 Mammograms increase a patient’s chance of survival from 18% to 94% with early detection. While scientists are researching a medical cure for breast cancer in their labs, I believe architects have the ability to create the architectural cure in the studio. Healthcare reform has been a major topic in recent political headlines. Providing medical insurance to tens of millions of Americans has been a priority for President Barack Obama. I believe quality healthcare should be available to everyone. Not having insurance shouldn't deprive people of receiving adequate healthcare. Looking at the rising costs of medical bills, it is expensive to have health insurance but it is even more expensive when you need it and don’t have it. This was made apparent to me when looking at medical bills for a family member who was battling breast cancer. Without insurance, the cost of breast cancer treatment alone can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. This doesn’t include reconstructive surgery or hospital bills. It is important to me that those battling breast cancer should not have the extra burden of worrying about bills and debt. Patients and their families have enough to worry about already. Clinics and non-profit organizations were created for to provide affordable or no cost healthcare. A possible low cost solution to breast cancer care is through education. Education is critical in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and support. The internet is a great source to learn about the options but an actual facility dedicated to this cause is important. A dedicated facility will have better resources for prevention, detection, treatment and support. Patients will feel more comfortable knowing that this place is created just for them and their families. I intend to use Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre program and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Cancer Center as the foundation for my project. “A Maggie’s Centre is a place to turn to for help with any of the problems, small or large, associated with cancer. Under one roof you can access help with information, benefits advice, psychological support both individually and in groups, courses and stress reducing strategies.” 2 “The Breast Center provides pioneering, comprehensive breast cancer prevention, diagnostic, treatment, and support services that go beyond the standard of care, all under one roof.” 3
DESIGN[URE] CANCER CARING CENTER February 1, 2011
Part II. Site Site Background: The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has plans to transform the former Navy Homeport into a “vibrant, sustainable, and livable addition to the Stapleton community and the Staten Island waterfront.”4 The main hurdle to make this a reality was rezoning the area from manufacturing to a residential and commercial zone. The NYCEDC and New York City Department of City Planning approved the new Special Stapleton Waterfront District in October of 2006. Staten Island’s Stapleton waterfront is now ready for development. There has been talk of revitalizing the neighborhood by participating in the USGBC’s LEED for Neighborhood Development. Though the plans were approved almost three and half years ago, implementation has been slow to start. Site Description: Parcel B4, Homeport, Stapleton, Staten Island, New York Parcel B4: Located in the southern portion of the Homeport Site, Parcel B4 is generally bounded by the extension of Canal Street to the north, the extension of Dock Street to the south, Front Street to the west, and the proposed public open space to the east. This approximately 3.16-acre site is expected to contain approximately 75,000 square feet of commercial space and 175 parking spaces.5 See Appendix A for maps.
DESIGN[URE] CANCER CARING CENTER February 1, 2011
Looking to change Site to this location. Bayley Seton Hospital Campus (closed)
Bibliography/ References: 1. 2. 3. 4.
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/pressroom/press-release-20081001.shtml http://www.maggiescentres.org/about/introduction.html http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/658.cfm http://www.nycedc.com/ProjectsOpportunities/CurrentProjects/StatenIsland/newstapletonwaterfront/Pages/N ewStapletonWaterfront.aspx 5. http://www.nyc.gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/project_new_stapleton.shtml#stapleton_feis; Chapter 1: Project Description_Final Environmental Impact Statement
DESIGN[URE] CANCER CARING CENTER February 1, 2011