Former grocery store becomes a cancer care center in New Jersey

A former ACME supermarket that sits adjacent to Virtua’s Health and Wellness Center in Moorestown, N.J. underwent a transformation to become the new Virtua Samson Cancer Center. The new facility accommodates radiation oncology, an infusion treatment suite, a cancer administrative suite, and a third party infusion practice.

The 66,000-sf facility’s high ceilings, large windows, artwork that depicts nature, and a garden visible from the infusion patient treatment spaces are meant to promote a sense of hope, serenity, and healing. Treatment rooms were strategically placed depending on those patients that are sensitive to natural light versus those who aren’t impacted by natural light. A substructure was implemented to allow the ceiling and lighting to be suspended from it, minimizing the need to build walls to the full height of the structure.

The center’s entry uses semi-opaque white panels that collectively create a single, uniform object that can be seen from the street. The front elevation is off center and has three vertical columns that hold up a misaligned upper mass. The interior Main Gallery space can be seen from the exterior through a full-height glass opening and allows visitors to find their bearings from either inside or outside the building. The tall ceilings of the Main Gallery transition to more intimate seating and lounge waiting areas.

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 7, 2021

Wheeler Kearns Architects completes Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center in Chicago

The new facility will provide medical and social service programs to LGBTQI+ youth.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 23, 2021

Why vertical hospitals might be the next frontier in healthcare design

In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of high-rise hospital design, as well as the main ideas and themes we considered when designing the new medical facility for the heart of London.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 12, 2021

Centro Hospitalario Serena Del Mar is Safdie Architects’ first project in Latin America

The hospital project is characterized by its connectivity to nature.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 2, 2021

Key design considerations for designing the smart patient room

The complete patient experience encompasses the journey to the hospital, the care experience, and the trip back home. All these touchpoints come with an expectation.

Pictured: Boulder Community Health’s West Medical Building, Lafayette, Colo. Photo: 2020 Caleb Tkach

Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021

14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design

The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.