RIOS designed a space that would reflect the goals and culture of the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine in Los Angeles, California.

The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine is a world-class cancer research and treatment institute with a mission that encourages healthcare professionals to collaborate and interact in a nature-centric environment. The Institute’s founding director, Dr. David Agus, believes in a fundamental strategy change leading the fight against cancer – changing the soil, so the seed won’t grow. This innovative premise is key inspiration for creating an environment that supports the best research and inspires discovery.

The interior design was conceived around an environment where transparency and optimal collaboration inspire innovation and transform patient wellness. By incorporating elements like biophilia, light, sound, art, and other sensory strategies, the building connects to the healing components of nature to harness inspiration. The design proactively creates a collaboration between researcher, patient, and physician to provide the greatest impact in treatment. The design encourages each user to cross paths and amplifies the power of collaboration and transparency in creating a transformative healing environment.

Principles of nature are incorporated and, as a result, the natural environment informs the materials and open spatial experience. Thermory (wood), plants, and a rich palette of earth-toned fabrics throughout the interior evoke nature in an abstract way. The views to the outside and planted terraces revolutionize the indoor/outdoor experience, providing a compelling connection to nature and encouraging wellness.

Design: RIOS
Design Team: Clarissa Lee, Devin Miyasaki, Erin Williams,  Haoran Liu, Laura Kos, Melanie Freeland, Misato Hamazaki, Nicole Robinson, Tom Myers, Sebastian Salvadó
Photography: Art Gray