The FirstHealth Cancer Center, a key component of the health system’s $30M Building the Dream initiative, brings all essential treatment services together under one roof, from chemotherapy infusion and gynecologic oncology to clinical trials and radiation oncology.

To bridge regional gaps in cancer treatment as part of its $30M Building the Dream campaign, FirstHealth of the Carolinas sought to establish one centralized facility that would eliminate the need for long-distance travel, connecting patients with the highest caliber of care, closer to home.

Following a rigorous evaluation of several national healthcare architecture firms, CPL was enlisted to design a 120,000 sq. ft. addition to the system’s flagship Moore Regional Hospital campus in Pinehurst, NC, through an integrated project delivery (IPD) method.

Because cancer treatment is a deeply personal and varied experience, it was important for the interior to cater to a wide range of needs; design objectives therefore revolved around creating non-clinical spaces that foster a strong sense of belonging for all patients. Wayfinding and security were also prioritized for a navigable environment, and stakeholders wanted designs to reflect the area’s landscape in order to forge a robust connection between people and place.

To achieve this, our team delved into whitepapers, initiated discussions with FirstHealth leadership and gathered feedback through surveys and patient journey mapping. We remained fully engaged from project kickoff to closeout, streamlining the implementation of finishing touches to foster a truly balanced facility.

Completed in March 2023, the center stands as the pinnacle of modern, patient-centric design. Its horizontal frame complements the human scale, aligning with our natural field of view to facilitate harmony with the environment, and the exterior’s innovative twisting design represents agile care that caters to patients’ shifting needs.

Because nature views can enhance patient outcomes, the building takes inspiration from its surroundings: the iconic pine trees and unique Sandhills, with imagery integrated all throughout. The tree symbolizes the cancer experience—despite powerful storms, it bends but doesn’t break, resonating with patients’ determination to overcome.

Proudly serving members of the Moore County community and beyond, the center embodies a journey toward healing, where every step taken is supported by thoughtful design and compassionate care.

Design: CPL Architecture, Engineering and Planning
Photography: Sterling Stevens