The Koch Center is extraordinary in several respects: Infusion and radiation oncology areas, as well as diagnostic imaging, typically found in basement areas, are located on upper floors. This gives patients and staff the benefit of natural light, a rarity that was achieved by substantial structural and architectural accommodations. Prep and recovery occur in a dedicated room, so patients and family can enjoy a private home base rather than shuttling among waiting areas. Functional and clinical program areas are set back from the building perimeter, so patients and families travel along pleasant, light-filled corridors.

This strategy also gives the curtain wall a consistent level of opacity across the facade, whose appearance subtly shifts in response to the changing light throughout the day. The curtain wall owes its exceptionally rich architectural character to the Okalux wood screen inserted into its triple-glazed assembly—the first such application on this scale—and to the undulating frit pattern applied to the inner surface of the outer pane. Designed for LEED Gold certification, the facility includes a green roof, high-performance building skin, and high-efficiency mechanical systems.

Critical infrastructure essential for operations during an emergency is located above grade for safety, giving peace of mind to the community the building serves. Poised to serve future generations, the Koch Center is adaptable to new technologies, highly resilient, and sustainable.