Problem: a lack of comprehensive cancer care in Northern New Mexico, and insufficient facility resources for the state’s aging population + those living with chronic diagnoses.

Response: the new cancer center adjacent to CHRISTUS St. Vincent’s main hospital.

Upon entering the two-story healthcare facility, a monumental stair featuring custom-made glass art is visible. The facility has diverse diagnostic + treatment rooms including exam rooms, chemotherapy suites, 20+ infusion spaces, outdoor treatment areas, advanced PET/CT imaging, and two linear accelerators. The structure also has support spaces including offices, waiting rooms, cafe, teaching area, resource center + community room, and ancillary services.

A 300 ft long steel pedestrian bridge connects the cancer center to the main hospital. The cancer center was constructed with mostly structural steel on shallow foundations; concrete was used for the linear accelerator vaults. Schaefer added value by bringing experience designing for linear accelerators to the design + construction team. The firm’s entertainment experience proved valuable when collaborating with the architect + glass sculptor on the art installation.