St. Alexius Medical Center, a comprehensive cancer treatment center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, takes the alleviation of their patient's stress as seriously as they do the treatment of cancer. The recently added Radiation Oncology Center took lessons from spa design to create a soothing atmosphere for its patients and staff.

The Center, designed by Proteus Group, a Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm specializing in healthcare, utilized warm colors, natural wood accents and indirect lighting to help create the relaxing environment.

"Knowing that the healing process is both mental and physical, we continually strive to create a positive visiting experience through the use of architectural elements," said Douglas E. Finck, AIA, Project Manager with Proteus Group.

Douglas continued, "We were excited to discover the Luminous SkyCeiling™ and Luminous Virtual Window™ products, and fortunate to have a client that recognizes the importance of therapeutic illumination. The Sky Factory's products are a great step in the path toward healing."

Treatments by linear accelerator take place in a 'vault' of thick concrete walls and a lead-lined door, a formidable environment typically devoid of natural light or views. Proteus softened the experience of entering with wood furnishings, warm indirect lighting and the installation of a Luminous Virtual Window™ at the end of the entry 'maze' to the treatment room.

The Luminous Virtual Window features a scene of a lake, path and trees in colorful fall foliage. The end wall of the maze dissolves into the radiant rural view.

To 'open up' the treatment space, and introduce some natural light, a stunning, 8' x 18' custom-shaped Luminous SkyCeiling™ was installed over the linear accelerator. Patients entering the room, and on the treatment table, can look up and 'through' what appears to be a large skylight with leafy trees and a cloud-filled sky beyond.

The Luminous SkyCeiling seems to let the entire suite breathe and open into the expansive scene above. The Luminous SkyCeiling is backlit by The Sky Factory's proprietary T-5 fluorescent light boxes that provide extremely even illumination across the image as well as the benefits of real daylight-balanced 6500K light.

This Installation Features:
A Custom SkyCeiling^TM
Single Luminous Virtual Window^TM