CHAD RICHISON HOPE LODGE
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The University of Oklahoma and the American Cancer Society teamed with the greater OKC medical community and various civic-minded individuals to fund and build the Chad Richison Hope Lodge. This light-filled facility provides a serene, therapeutic, and home-like environment while offering supportive amenities and informational resources for cancer patients and caregivers. It features 34 private guest rooms, each with a television and a private bath. There are two full communal kitchens for meal prep with help-yourself pantries and cooking equipment. An open and light-filled dining area allows guests to engage in moral support and assist each other with running errands and grocery shopping. The facility also provides daily access to fresh linens and laundry facilities, a resource library with an internet computer station, a quiet meditation room, and family recreation rooms with chairs, sofas, and television.

The facility was designed to meet WELL Building Standards and provides physical, emotional, and social well-being to the guests by providing free lodging with a welcoming at-home environment for cancer patients traveling 40 miles or one hour away from their cancer treatment. The location of the facility allows guests to receive specialized treatment from one of Oklahoma City’s five large healthcare systems. For the many patients coming from the Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas regions, the facility offers a nurturing system of support while eliminating some of the financial burdens associated with treatment and travel. It will serve approximately 2,400 patients and caregivers annually, providing approximately 14,600 free nights of lodging valued at $1,971,000 in annual savings.

The building integrates biophilic design with the use of various natural materials, along with maximizing access to natural light. With the first floor designed as an east-facing ellipse, the organic shape allows for the staff and guests to have continuous views of the courtyard filled with greenery and landscaping. The courtyard provides guests with the opportunity for relaxation and social interaction, promoting well-being. With the occupants at the center of the building design, the building is equipped with fire suppression and evacuation systems. The facility also includes a dedicated area of refuge against Oklahoma wind, such as tornados.

A sophisticated building management system controls lighting, temperature, and air quality based on real-time data. This provides optimal comfort to both guests and staff and minimizes energy wastage. The building includes a fitness center, as well as a meditation room, and a quiet day room. These spaces cater to the physical and mental health of the guests, promoting a balanced lifestyle. The open dining and kitchen areas, as well as the first-floor family room and second/third-floor dayrooms, host communal spaces for the guests to gather, fostering a sense of community. Encouraging interaction among guests will help enhance their overall quality of life. The dining room, among other locations throughout the facility, offers the option for chairs with and without arms that will meet and support the guests where they are in their size and needs as they are undergoing treatment. Overall, the new facility provides a light-filled, home-like environment through the mix of warm, natural, and inviting finish selections, along with versatile spaces throughout to accommodate each person's needs.