Abstract

The Prinses Máxima Centre opened in May last year in Utrecht. At 45,000m², it’s the biggest centre in Europe. Research, cure and care come together in one building. Its mission is to cure every child with cancer while maintaining their quality of life.

Extensive research into healing environments and evidence-based design took place to create a building that allows a normal development of the child despite their disease. The research was conducted by doctors, a psychiatrist, engineers and architects, in collaboration with patients and parents.

The interdisciplinary team established a set of features to be incorporated in the building: daylight; fresh air; views to nature; privacy; outside space; control over own environment; acoustics; activating patients; and smell. These were validated during the process to ensure the vision was met. Evaluations took place by desk research, in mock-ups of every room, and with computer simulations. In some cases, special engineering was necessary to meet building regulations and create a stress-free environment.

A set of rules was established for the set-up of the building to allow stress-free use. These rules became part of the building’s bill of requirements. A “one-minute rule”, for example, states that parents have to find all the facilities they need within a one-minute walk of their child’s room.

Additional spaces were needed to support normal development. Each patient room, for example, consists of two independent spaces adjacent to each other – one for the patient and one for the parents. A sliding door allows users to divide or connect the spaces according to their needs. The outside space connected to each of these units is accessible via the parents’ room, enhancing feelings of control and safety. Plans for an extension are already taking shape.