Hainan Cancer Research Hospital

Haikou, Hainan Province, China | 2010-2015

Collaboration Ron Henderson, Sophath Toun, Tanya Kelley; CannonDesign Shanghai

Recognition First place in international competition and awarded commission; Honor Award from Healthcare Design Magazine; China’s first LEED Gold health and research center

Trees (600+)

A cutting-edge center of healing and research, the Hospital incorporates a combination of Eastern and Western sensibility in every aspect of its design — from programming, design logic and construction to the user experience. This synergy manifests most notably in a vast central healing garden, shielded from the rapidly developing Haikou urban center by significant building masses — including a 170,000 square-meter main hospital in phase one and a cancer center, rehabilitation center, staff residence hall and visitor hotel in phase two. An open-air courtyard garden provides patients and families with a natural environment that encourages inward focus.

Various Chinese and aromatherapy plants known for their healing qualities, and distinctive vegetation studied for their medicinal applications, complement the surroundings. Elevated walkways provide ease of access between buildings and operational visibility is minimized by restricting vehicular traffic to a perimeter road and placing parking options underground. Garden views from building interiors are maximized. The first major Chinese hospital to achieve LEED Gold certification, the design employs both proven local building strategies and Western climate expertise for a comprehensive approach to green design and user comfort.

In the gardens, a network of streams and ponds collects rainwater—providing evaporative cooling to gardens and certain building sections. Region-specific materials, including native basalt stone at the urban edge and internal facades of locally produced, sustainable woods, establish a warm familiarity while supporting the local economy and reducing environmental impact.