Visitors stepping into the cancer centre at Credit Valley in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada are greeted by something extraordinary. Broad, tree-like forms reach towards the ceiling, evoking a sense of both shelter and encouragement.
These ”trees” are in fact structural Douglas fir columns that branch out into smaller, curved columns and radial cantilever beams. The design is by the Toronto-based firm Farrow Partnership Architects.
”The design comprises multiple arches/circles combined with triangular, truss-like space structures, which is a highly efficient system. The biggest challenge when the centre was built was that building codes didn’t support the use of timber in healthcare environments,” says Tye Farrow, architect and co-founder of Farrow Partnership Architects.
Something that is live
The aim was to create a tranquil space for cancer patients. To that end, the architects conducted a survey prior to construction.
”The responses were without exception variations of:
’Cancer can be a devastating disease. The place we come to for treatment should give us hope.’ When we asked what gives them hope, they said: ’Something that’s alive.”
Text: Mattias Boström Photo: Peter Seller
