Jefferson Health has engaged global architecture and design firm CallisonRTKL (CRTKL) to provide design services for the health system expansion at the Cherry Hill campus. The new inpatient bed tower is a 230,000-square-foot addition to the existing hospital adding 90 patient rooms, diagnostics, pharmacy, surgical services, and public spaces, including a cafeteria, outdoor dining, and a treatment garden. Completed in November 2020, the bed tower, fulfilling Jefferson Health’s goal of modernizing the campus, is designed to be Jefferson Health New Jersey’s flagship building. The new patient tower will connect to the five storey atrium lobby, allowing easy access to the new medical building.
During the initial design stages of the expansion, CRTKL conducted a study to standardize the patient rooms and nursing units of the Jefferson Health System. Using virtual reality to conduct patient and virtual room models for a week, CRTKL collected feedback on room design from staff. The resulting design promotes improved care practices, and the result is a shared vision between staff and caregivers. The new tower is located along Chapel Street and serves as the main entrance to the campus – displaying a unique signature staircase and exterior lighting as visual icons inviting visitors to the campus. The outdoor dining area and healing garden serve as a link between the building and the Cherry Hill community. Organized around a well-lit winding path, these spaces provide communal seating, intimate spaces for reflection, and private ‘outdoors’ for staff and visitors.
Project Category: new construction
operation manager: Lisa Dotterer, Chief Administrative Officer
Establishment: CallisonRTKL, www.callisonrtkl.com
design team: Chris Bundzak, assistant; Tamra Green, Co-Director; Gabriella Feldman, Senior Associate; Sarah Dickert, chief designer; Mark Palmer, Associate Director; Ray Brauer, Director
Total Building Area (Square Feet): 230,000
Construction cost / square meter. Foot: $557
Total construction cost (excluding land): 128 million dollars
complete: December 2020