The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre provides a range of cancer treatment and support services including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, clinics, and inpatient care. It was designed to reduce stress on patients through a tranquil environment with access to nature, daylight, and fresh air. Alternative care settings and wellness programs empower patients and support emotional and spiritual wellbeing alongside clinical care. The building received recognition for its patient-centered design which promotes social interaction and a comforting environment to support better health outcomes.

1. OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN
CANCER & WELLNESS CENTRE

2. WHAT IS WELLNESS?
Sharing of information
Empowering the patient
Providing diversions
Options & choices
Eliminating environmental stresses
Emotional & spiritual support of the patient
Alternative care settings

3. The goal sought by Olivia Newton-John was
“to express the aspirational edge; where desire and hope
within each patient remains uppermost in their thoughts.”

5. SERVICES PROVIDED
Chemotherapy & Apheresis
25 Chairs
4 Apheresis
Translational Research &
Clinical Trials
Laboratories over 3 levels
Radiotherapy
4 Linacs
2CT + Brachytherapy
Multidisciplinary Clinics
16 rooms
Inpatient Care
Oncology 32 Beds
Haematology 32 Beds
Palliative Care 22 Beds
Satellite Pharmacy
Cytotoxic Suite

6. STRATEGIC ORGANISATION OF CLINICAL SPACES
Entry Level
Day Patients, Wellness Centre, Educating & Research

7. Section

8. Pivotal to its design, the facility offers patients and staff continual access
and visual connection to the central courtyard which is gently wrapped
and nurtured by the building facade.

10. The Acute and Palliative Care wards are located on the upper levels, expressively
designed to overlook the Valley to the south, with north sun derived from the
courtyard on the opposite side. As designers we wanted to distinguish the ONJ as
“different” or “special” fitting in with the Heidelberg urban landscape to become an
expressive distinctive form of the Austin Hospital. Inpatients units are connected to:
Laboratories Staff recreation & collaboration spaces
Upper Plan

13. THE WELLNESS CENTRE

14. Olivia wanted a courtyard & a patient centre that was not “health department” driven; & this was not hard for the
architects to provide; it came in the form of Zeltner Hall, already a historic gathering space on the site; somewhat
under used & readily available to convert into an educational & reception lounge for patients. A Verandah
overlooked a tiered garden, now rebuilt with running water & flower beds, leading the eye down to a lower sun
terrace just outside the patient lounge - light, sun & fresh air ensure optimism.

15. WELLNESS GARDEN

16. The goal sought by Olivia Newton-John was to make a centre
that had a “feel good spirit” about it. Careful attention was paid
to colours, sunlight and shade, tranquillity and softness, a critical
balance, alongside the clinical setting of oncology treatment,
radiology, operating theatres and research.

17. A design that recognises wellness allows each patient to play an
encouraging role amongst their peers, along with family and support
friends. The Facility delivers cutting-edge clinical care in a tranquil
environment that reduces stress on patients, visitors and staff.

18. ALTERNATIVE CARE SETTINGS

19. The oncology ‘day room’ is designed in the form of
a huge bay window, looking into the “Tree of Life”
in the foreground. In the distance the Yarra Valley
and the Dandenong mountains are readily on view.
ALTERNATIVE CARE SETTINGS

22. Spaces for investigation of the treatment
regime & empowering the patient.
Spaces for relaxation & repose.

24. Patient rooms that provide outlook &
natural ventilation.

25. CONNECTIVITY & COLLABORATION

26. The building is supported by intuitive way-finding and clear signage, organised
around two strong circulation axes. The intersection of these culminates in the
main entry space with direct links (north and south) connecting ONJ with Lance
Townsend building and east/west connecting ONJ with Zeltner Hall.

27. An overall impression of openness is developed here
to encourage staff to enlighten each other, so avoiding
the desperate “territoriality” of departments generally
apparent in most large Australian hospitals.

31. FORM & EXPRESSION

32. One of the key drivers to its eventual form, was considering the approach of the patients,
visitors and carers to the facility – and of course the binding relationship with Austin Health
– we understand the nature of cancer treatment means patients are “frequent flyers” – this
had significant impact on the overall design of the building, in particular its necessity to be
engaging & welcoming and of appropriate scale.

36. Its curved facade appears as a “softer” building, where multi-coloured sunshades filter the light and take on a
natural connection with the hillside. Inside, a connected curving journey (different to the adjacent laboratory
corridors) links bedrooms, meeting areas and in particular, the ”look out” cantilevered lounges, sitting into the
“curves”, to get a 180 degree view of the surrounding landscape.

37. Operable windows, accessible balconies, double glazed windows and sun-shading
screens provide “patient autonomy” – allows patients the ability to control their
own level of comfort as they would in their own home - open a window, control
their own lighting, step outside on the balcony etc.

38. Glazed stairs to the east and west
that act as beacon lights at night and
ground the building.

40. The building was designed to maximise energy efficiency and minimise environmental
impacts. Building systems were selected to maximise comfort levels, such as the choice of
passive chilled beams over air conditioning. Natural light has been harnessed and natural
finishes, colours and textures used, to create a sense of bringing the outdoors inside.

41. -- Reduction in water consumption of 40% against comparable facilities
-- Rain water harvesting
-- Reuse of reverse osmosis water for irrigation
-- Evaporative cooling
-- 100% fresh air
-- Heat exchanges to aid heat recovery
-- Chilled beam low pressure diffusers providing greater efficiency in patient areas
-- Accessible balconies and openable windows in palliative care area
-- Solar hot water
-- Significant access to daylight multiple areas for sun
ACHIEVED A 4 STAR GREEN STAR RATING

42. Winner: Excellence in Construction of Commercial Building over $80M
at the Master Builders Association of Victoria Awards 2014
2013 Healthcare Environment Awards Acute Care Honourable Mention
Centre for Health Design USA
“Providing social interaction for patients and their carers in a
supportive noninstitutional and comforting environment promotes and
supports better patient outcomes.”
Megan Gray
Project Director ONJCWC
AWARDS