NCT New Building and Expansion

Heidelberg, DE

2017–2023

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. Modern campus buildings with glass facades lit at dusk, set along a path and grassy area.

The design of the new facilities at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg aims to create a welcoming and inclusive hospital environment through thoughtful spatial planning and material choices that depart from typical clinical settings. The NCT is a collaborative initiative by German Cancer Aid, the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, and Heidelberg University Hospital.

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Following the success of the original NCT building that we completed in 2010—which brought together interdisciplinary care and cancer research under one roof—the expansion addresses growing spatial needs. The new additions include an annex to the existing laboratory and a freestanding timber administration building north of the day clinic, together providing around 2,600 m² of usable space across three floors.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. Laboratory interior with long benches and glass cabinets; two people in lab coats working at stations.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. Treatment room with treatment chairs, glass partitions, and staff at desks in a bright, modern interior for the healthcare sector. Mobile pedestals and work surfaces are colored signal yellow.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. A bright and inviting waiting area with chairs, people sitting and walking around, and a transparent yellow curtain dividing a bright interior.

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Level 1

Despite strict functional requirements, the original building avoids the conventional hospital layout. It features a four-story, light-filled atrium designed to encourage informal encounters between patients, visitors, and staff. The new laboratory annex continues this approach, closely following the construction style, materials, and formal language of the existing structure. While maintaining the color palette and clear facade organization, it introduces subtle variations that differentiate it from the original. On the entrance level, the extension houses a Phase I Unit with ten therapy rooms, alongside examination and consultation spaces. The upper floors are dedicated to laboratory use.

Client: DKFZ Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Architects: Behnisch Architekten
Address: Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg
Germany
Gross Area: 5.140 qm / 55,327 sq.ft.
Gross Volume: 24.058 cbm / 849,608 cu.ft.
Photography: David Matthiessen
Downloads: Download PDF

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. A bright lounge with a green kitchenette, wooden walls, benches, and two people sitting at a table by large windows. To the left of the picture, a hallway is visible leading to other parts of the building.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. A meeting room with tables, chairs, a wooden ceiling, large windows, and people moving through the room. Color accents are provided by the orange/ochre curtain and the wall covering.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, NCT New Building and Expansion. A meeting room with glass and wood walls, where a group is seated around a table. Colorful accents are provided by orange and green wall panels and orange/ochre curtains.

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The new timber administration building contributes to the campus’s inviting atmosphere. Its bright interiors, the natural scent of wood, and a colorful felt-lined interior facade offer a sensory experience that softens the clinical context and evokes a domestic feel. Except for the basement, the entire building is constructed from timber, using cross-wall laminated timber plates (20 cm internal walls, 16 cm floors), serving as a sustainable addition to the existing structures. Operable windows allow for natural ventilation, and daylight is maximized throughout the design.