Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine
A Transformative Research Environment Inspiring Discovery and Wellness
The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine is a world-class cancer research and treatment institute with a mission that encourages healthcare professionals to collaborate and interact in a nature-centric environment.
The Institute’s founding director, Dr. David Agus, believes in a fundamental strategy change leading the fight against cancer – changing the soil, so the seed won’t grow. This innovative premise is key inspiration for creating an environment that supports the best research and inspires discovery.
"RIOS made a building that enables us to work. The building is not separate from the work, it's part of it."
— Dr. David Agus, the Ellison Institute’s Founding Director, Interior Design Magazine
Innovation Inspired
The design of the 84,000-sq.-ft. interior was conceived around an environment where transparency and optimal collaboration inspire innovation of cancer research and transform patient wellness. By incorporating elements like biophilia, light, sound, and other sensorial strategies, the building connects to the healing components of nature to harness inspiration and create well-being.
Nature-Infused Wellness
The design incorporates principles of nature. As a result, the natural environment informs the materials and open spatial experience. Thermory (wood), plants, and a rich palette of earth-toned fabrics throughout the interior evoke nature in an abstract way. The views to the outside and planted terraces revolutionize the indoor/outdoor experience, providing a compelling connection to nature and encouraging wellness.
Interdependent Collaboration
The design encourages the paths of each user to intersect and cross in order to amplify the power of collaboration and transparency in creating a transformative healing environment.
The goal of the design is to proactively create an interdependent collaboration between researcher, patient, and physician in order to provide the greatest impact in patient treatment. The design encourages the paths of each user to intersect and cross in order to amplify the power of collaboration and transparency in creating a transformative healing environment.
The program is divided into three types of spaces:
1. Solitary
Laboratories and clinic rooms that support focused work for technical research and patient treatment
2. Transitionary
Comfortable lounge areas that encourage interaction, collaboration, and sharing
3. Social
Public areas such as conference areas, a kitchen, and a multi-story assembly area
Designed to Evolve
Wherever possible, signage was designed as a modular system. Room signs can add or change occupants to support the Institute’s organizational flexibility. Every lab is designed to accommodate donor recognition, and the donor wall is designed to swap out modular panels as modest donors become major donors over time. Every piece is a part of the larger picture—an olive branch, a symbol of the holistic practice of wellness and a particular contributor to medical history.
Award-winning Design
The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine has been recognized with the following awards for design excellence:
- Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Award
- Southern California Development Forum Award
- The Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Award
- IIDA Southern California Calibre Design Award
- Los Angeles Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Award
- Architizer A+Awards Jury Winner
