Radiation Oncology Service
South West (SWROS)
SWROS brings vital Radiotherapy treatment closer to home
for regional patients
With the wellbeing of cancer patients front of mind, we designed the building to make the most of the outlook into neighbouring bushland and outdoor landscaping, while also maximising natural light penetration into the facility.
Client
Department of Finance on behalf of Department of Education
Location
Madora Bay, WA
Construction Value
$17m
Completed
January 2023
Carabiner Team
Project Director: David Karotkin
Project Leader and Architect: Paolo Basini
Includes:
Clinic and consultation facilities
CT scanner and 2 linear accelerators in radiation bunkers
Specialised workshop for creating positioning moulds for
scanning and radiationTreatment rooms
Dedicated patient reception and waiting rooms
Staff and support services areas
The South West Radiation Oncology Service is the first of its kind in the south west, bringing improved access to radiation treatment for the region’s growing population. For many cancer patients, this means they no longer had to travel to Perth for radiotherapy treatment.
Funded jointly by the Commonwealth and State governments, the project was required to be delivered within a strict funding period, with only 9 months
between the project being commissioned and the contract being awarded.
This single storey building was a new addition to the Bunbury Hospital campus, with the human scale and materiality of the the campus reflected in our design concept. The requirement to incorporate two linear accelerators, which needed to be housed within thick concrete bunkers, introduced a level of technical complexity to the project.
Importantly, we designed the roof to ensure that they were seamlessly incorporated within the building form. Internal access to the bunkers via a maze arrangement avoided the need for large, thick vault-like doors that may have created a more intimidating experience for patients.
A clear wayfinding strategy ensured that visiting patients can focus on their treatment rather than figuring out where they need to go. Colour and interest define an uplifting interior designed to put patients at ease.