American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
ENTIRE BUILDING | BALTIMORE, MD
The new American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Baltimore serves a unique purpose. It provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers who travel from across the country to receive treatment at Baltimore's leading medical centers. For many guests, Hope Lodge becomes much more than a place to sleep—it becomes a home away from home during one of life's most challenging experiences. The relocated facility, housed in the former Ronald McDonald House, recently opened with expanded accommodations and thoughtfully designed community spaces that allow even more families to stay close to the care they need.
Having previously partnered on both the original Ronald McDonald House and its new location, MOI was honored to help write the next chapter in the building's story. Working with JP2 Architects, the goal was to create interiors that felt warm, calming, and residential rather than institutional—spaces that would immediately put guests at ease.
Throughout the building, every furnishing was selected to reinforce that feeling of comfort. Guest suites provide peaceful retreats for rest and recovery, while lounges and ancillary spaces encourage families to gather, connect, and support one another. The overall experience reflects the comfort of a boutique hotel while maintaining the warmth and familiarity of home.
As with many nonprofit projects, thoughtful budgeting played an important role. MOI partnered with manufacturers offering nonprofit purchasing agreements and contract pricing to maximize every dollar invested. This approach allowed the team to deliver durable, beautifully designed furnishings without compromising the project's vision or the organization's mission.
The completed Hope Lodge is more than a beautifully designed building—it is a place where design directly supports healing. Every comfortable chair, welcoming gathering space, and thoughtfully furnished guest room helps ease the burden on patients and families so they can focus on what matters most: treatment, recovery, and hope.
