Willis Knighton Proton Therapy Center Addition

The three-story, 49,800 SF Proton Therapy Center addition expands the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, establishing a distinct presence while remaining connected to the existing facility. Commissioned by James K. Elrod, President Emeritus of Willis-Knighton Health System, the project introduced the world’s first installation of the ProteusONE® with Pencil Beam scanning technology, developed by IBA of Brussels, Belgium. Because the equipment itself was still evolving, the design process became a true collaboration, requiring flexibility and innovation to integrate highly technical systems within a patient-centered environment.

At the core of the addition is a 1-1/2 story concrete vault housing the proton therapy system, comprised of a cyclotron, beam transport system, and gantry treatment delivery system. Surrounding this highly specialized space, the first floor accommodates the Proton Therapy Center’s clinical and support functions, including exam rooms, consultation spaces, a special procedure room, dressing areas, administrative offices, training and conference rooms, and the treatment vault. The second and third floors were constructed as shell space, allowing for future clinical and physician use, with a portion of the third floor reserved for equipment support and storage serving the proton unit.

While the addition physically extends the original Cancer Center, this new design introduces a dedicated entry sequence, complete with its own drive and canopy, establishing the Proton Therapy Center as a distinct and forward-looking destination for advanced cancer treatment.