UCSF-John Muir Health Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center
John Muir Health (JMH) is a not-for-profit health system with a mission of community-based care in Northern California. In collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco, JMH planned for a new medical center that unites cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care coordination into a single location while giving the region’s residents access to UCSF’s top cancer specialists and the latest treatment advancements in a space that is calm, inviting, and focused on healing.
Client
John Muir Health
Location
Walnut Creek, California
Markets/Services
Architecture, Health, Interiors, Landscape Architecture, Medical Planning
Size
162,000 SF
The Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center at the Behring Pavilion blends nature and innovation, creating a sanctuary for healing and hope by weaving the natural beauty of Northern California into every aspect of the building. The moment one steps into the pavilion, the experience is akin to walking through a forest, with natural materials and earth tones guiding the way. The art walk, a continuous thread of creativity and inspiration, connects the main hospital to the new building, inviting visitors to embark on a path of discovery and reflection. This integration of art and nature is not merely aesthetic but therapeutic, offering moments of respite and contemplation.
Architecturally, the pavilion stands as a beacon of modern design, respecting the existing campus while boldly incorporating contemporary elements. The dual entry points, connected by soaring lobbies, create a seamless flow that enhances navigation and accessibility. This thoughtful design ensures that every journey through the building is intuitive and calming, reducing the stress often associated with medical visits.
Intentional design choices not only make the building more efficient, but they also create a healing environment for patients. For Contra Costa County, Behring Pavilion redefines the local standard of care.
We are able to provide world-class cancer care and multiple services in a space that is calm and inviting for our patients because of the teamwork on this project, including the design team’s forward-thinking approaches to healthcare design.
Michael Monaldo
Senior Vice President, Facilities Development, John Muir Health
John Muir Health set out to create a center of excellence where patients receive exceptional care, groundbreaking research thrives and a sense of optimism infuses everyone affected by cancer. Behring Pavilion is a symbol of healing and hope in the face of adversity. The building honors the patients, as well as the medical professionals who work in oncology. Within the walls of this new building, exceptional clinicians and staff work side by side with patients during their cancer journeys through screening, diagnosis and treatment.
The Behring Pavilion is more than a healthcare facility; it is a sanctuary where architecture, nature, and technology converge to create an environment of healing and hope. It redefines what it means to design for health, setting a new benchmark for future developments in the field.
The design team made our vision of creating a healing environment for cancer patients a reality. From the initial design meetings, the team understood our goals, the needs of our patients, providers and staff, and how to create a facility where everyone would feel the power of hope in the face of adversity.
Michael Monaldo
Senior Vice President, Facilities Development, John Muir Health