Essex Specialist Care Centre
This new two storey building of 1460 sqm provides a private regional radiotherapy centre to serve the whole Essex area. The brick plinth forms a base to the building accommodating the site changes in level and the render walls provide a simple facade with copper cladding defining the stair and lift cores
These specialist facilities use a machine known as a Linear Accelerator (Linac) which produces powerful x-rays, these are focused by the machine into a precisely defined beam that is used for treatment. The amount and nature of the radiation produced by the Linac is such that it has to be contained
A concrete bunker is usually constructed but alternative systems based on lead or steel can be used where space is at a premium. Ventilation needs to be kept separate from other parts of the building and the entrance to the treatment area needs to be carefully designed to prevent radiation scatter