Baptist Health South Florida wanted the design of its new Miami Cancer Institute to reflect the warm Mediterranean style of the other health care facilities it operates throughout the region.

“The client wanted to create a warm, friendly hospitality-type feel such as you would find in a fine spa or hotel,” says ZGF Architects principal Barbara Kubasti.

Inspired by the connections to nature found in the surrounding landscape, the design team selected rich, natural materials for the interior of the 350,000-square-foot cancer treatment center, creating a warm, comforting environment for patients and their families.

“The design is inspired and shaped by the abundant natural light, shady groves of trees, dramatic views, and well-used paths and places of rest that are found on the site,” adds Kubasti.

Connecting to nature

Reinforcing the connection to nature, the lobbies and corridors are infused with natural light and feature WoodWorks® Linear Veneered ceiling panels in a Constants™ Cherry finish. The custom 2-foot-by-5-foot wood panels were designed specifically for the cancer institute by the You Inspire™ Solutions Center at Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions. Each of the panels is made up three different widths of wood planks with a narrow reveal between each plank, creating a unique linear visual that aligns directionally with the corridors. “We wanted the warm feel of wood and because the wood ceilings are linear in fashion, they accommodate the continuance of those long corridors that form the north-south internal circulation spine of the building,” explains Kubasti.

The panels are uniquely designed with custom hooks and safety cables that attach to the suspension system to provide safe and easy access to the plenum and to prevent the panels from accidentally dislodging or falling. Backed with factory-attached acoustical fleece and bioacoustic infill, the panels have a Noise Reduction Coefficient of 0.75, helping to control noise in the areas where they are installed.

Before installing the ceiling, Acousti Engineering Company of Florida installed additional 2-foot cross tees to ensure that the suspension system would be able to support the weight of the large, heavy wood panels.

Prior to installation, the ceiling contractor realized that the linear air diffusers did not align evenly with the wood planks in the panels. “We requested that the dimensions for the diffusers be altered and that Armstrong pre-cut the panels to accommodate the new dimensions,” explains project manager Bruno Solari.

A wayfinding tool

The WoodWorks Linear Veneered ceiling panels now provide patients and their families with a quieting connection to nature that helps in the healing process while also serving as a wayfinding tool that helps them navigate their way around the advanced cancer treatment center.

For more information, visit the You Inspire Solutions Center at Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions at armstrongceilings.com/youinspire or call 1-800-988-2585.