flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Seattle is home to first LEED-certified modular radiation center

Seattle is home to first LEED-certified modular radiation center

By using modular construction and strategic site design, RAD Medical Systems built the first radiation center to receive LEED certification.


September 28, 2012
The facility combines a specialized therapy room or vault to house the TomoThe
The facility combines a specialized therapy room or vault to house the TomoTherapy treatment system with patient and clinical

The Swedish Cancer Institute (SCI) has embarked on a bold approach to rapidly restore community-based radiotherapy cancer treatment utilizing state-of-the-art building technology that is swift and green.

The patented factory fabricated radiotherapy treatment vault and clinic by RAD Technology Medical Systems (RAD) enabled SCI to cut traditional building schedules in half while constructing a facility in compliance with the USGBC’s LEED certification.

“Hospital facilities are perhaps one of the most difficult types of structures to make compliant with LEED criteria,” said RAD President John J. Lefkus III. “Maintaining health and equipment environmental standards can be in conflict with renewable and lean strategies. RAD has unique construction techniques that benefit projects through the extensive use of renewable construction materials and employs energy efficient mechanical systems.”

The use of modular construction, strategic site design elements, recycled materials, energy efficient design and a unique HVAC system contribute to the LEED rating of Silver. The project is also the first radiation center to achieve LEED certification.

The nearly 4,000-sf Seattle facility combines a specialized therapy room or “vault” to house the TomoTherapy treatment system with patient and clinical staff accommodations.

The building consists of prefabricated steel modules for the vault portion and prefabricated wood modules for the exam and office portion, all of which were assembled in an offsite factory and trucked to the site in order to expedite construction. The exterior materials of the building complement the existing medical campus to create a facility that is appropriately scaled within the surrounding residential neighborhood.

“With assistance from RAD, we found a way to blend our need for leading-edge technology, accelerated project delivery and our commitment to the community and environment in one package,” said Jim Yates, Administrative Director of the Swedish Cancer Institute.

For more information on the project, visit RAD Medical Systems.

About MBI

The Modular Building Institute (MBI) is the international non-profit trade association serving the modular construction industry. Members are suppliers, manufacturers and contractors engaged in all aspects of modular projects from complex multi-story solutions to temporary accommodations. As the Voice of Commercial Modular Construction (TM), it is MBI's mission to expand the use of offsite construction through innovative construction practices, outreach and education to the construction community and customers, and recognition of high quality modular designs and facilities. To learn more about modular construction, go to www.modular.org.

Related Stories

Office Buildings | Mar 7, 2015

Chance encounters in workplace design: The winning ticket to the innovation lottery?

The logic behind the push to cultivate chance encounters supposes that innovation is akin to a lottery. But do chance encounters reliably and consistently yield anything of substance?

Architects | Mar 6, 2015

Study suggests our brains prefer curvy architecture

A research team at the University of Toronto at Scarborough worked with several European designers to see what sort of spaces pleases our brains more. Their finding: People are far more likely to call a room beautiful when its design is round instead of linear.

Justice Facilities | Mar 5, 2015

New courthouse blossoms into a civic space for one California town

The building's canopy suggests classical courthouse features of front porch and portico. It also helps connect the building with a public plaza that has re-centered civic activity and public gathering for the town.

Justice Facilities | Mar 5, 2015

State of the state: How state governments are funding construction projects

State budget shortfalls are making new construction and renovation projects a tough sell, leading lawmakers to seek alternative funding for these jobs.  

Museums | Mar 5, 2015

A giant, silver loop in Dubai will house the Museum of the Future

The Sheikh of Dubai hopes the $136 million museum will serve as an incubator for ideas and real designs—a global destination for inventors and entrepreneurs.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 5, 2015

New HOK designs for St. Louis NFL stadium unveiled

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has assembled a task force to develop plans for an open-air NFL stadium on the North Riverfront of downtown St. Louis.

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015

Charlotte, N.C., considers rule for gender-neutral public bathrooms

A few other cities, including Philadelphia, Austin, Texas, and Washington D.C., already have gender-neutral bathroom regulations.

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015

FEMA cuts off funding to Indiana after Kokomo continues building stadium in flood zone

FEMA will withhold funding on $5.5 million worth of projects such as building tornado safe rooms in schools.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 5, 2015

Chicago's 7 most endangered properties

Preservation Chicago released its annual list of historic buildings that are at risk of being demolished or falling into decay.

Office Buildings | Mar 5, 2015

Goettsch Partners unveils plans for dual office towers in Warsaw

The Mennica Legacy Tower development is divided into a 35-story tower located on the south east side of the site and a 10-story building on the west side.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Urban Planning

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.



Libraries

Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library

DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021