Revitalizing Oncology by Transforming Treatment Environments by Reconnecting to Life

There is a growing consensus among researchers that human activities have profoundly reshaped the Earth's environment, to the point that our modes of living and their ecological footprint have given rise to new conditions of habitability. This transformation marks not merely the continuation of human dominance, but the emergence of a new era in which human and non-human actors are linked in shaping the future of life on Earth. Our collective actions from urban expansion to industrial processes exert influence not only on the built environment but also on the health and vitality of all species. A critical example of this connection between human impact, environmental change, and health is cancer care. This thesis proposes a new approach to cancer care that challenges the sterile confines of traditional clinical settings. It seeks to incorporate ecological principles and foreground the inherent relationship between humans and the natural world. The objective is to cultivate spaces that facilitate healing through a meaningful engagement with nature, viewing cancer not solely as an illness, but as a dimension of the broader human condition. Ultimately, This project envisions the development of therapeutic environments that reestablish a sense of connection to life through spatial and ecological awareness. By examining environmental patterns and circulatory flows, the design engages the natural rhythms of the landscape as a framework for architectural decision-making. This approach facilitates an integrated relationship between the built environment, natural systems, and human activity enabling spaces where healing is not merely clinical, but experiential and embodied. In reframing care as a holistic interaction with both life and death, the project advances a more compassionate, ecologically attuned model of healthcare design.