Great Turnout for UAB Cancer Center Opening

Last Friday, August 23, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Wallace Tumor Institute celebrated the building’s re-opening after extensive renovations pushing the cancer program to an elite level. With over 400 people in attendance, George Marsh, the Principal-in-Charge of the project, reported the crowd to be “four-deep” on the balcony. In addition to remarks from Robert Bentley, Alabama’s governor and Dr. Edward Partridge, the cancer center’s director, Marsh spoke of the building’s deep and rich history, solid bones and the goals of the renovation of such a flexible building. The original building evolved through expansions, beginning in 1970 with architecture that was focused inward, as were many urban buildings of the era. The various expansions added depth and corridors, losing its original clarity and connectivity to the outside. One of Dr. Patridge’s primary goals for the renovation included creating a front door for the cancer center and to bring natural light into the building. This is exactly what the team sought to do, creating transparency throughout the building as well as clarifying circulation. Marsh spoke of revitalization and rejuvenation; from the corridors, to the main atrium, to the laboratory furniture; the building transformed. Marsh closed with a quote from a letter he received from Dr. Patridge three years ago, “WTI is going to be spectacular. Ugly duckling into a swan.”

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