RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Unveil Plans for New Cancer Pavilion

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey have unveiled plans for New Jersey’s first comprehensive cancer center, which will significantly expand service offerings to people living in a state with one of the highest rates of cancer. Approximately 50,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in New Jersey.

The 510,000-square-foot facility will include laboratory services, an outpatient clinic, an infusion and chemotherapy suite, radiation oncology, imaging and interventional radiology. The project team includes architect HOK and general contractor Jingoli Construction/LF Driscoll joint venture.

As part of a system-wide strategic master planning exercise, HOK’s Healthcare Consulting team completed a feasibility and programming study for a new cancer treatment facility on the New Brunswick campus. Developing market research and volume projections, the plan defined the program requirements for ambulatory clinical care and research.

By housing research in the cancer pavilion, physician-scientists will be able to rapidly translate scientific findings from lab bench to patient bedside. The facility is organized into three primary components:

• Outpatient care: 84 infusion bays, 74 exam rooms, advanced radiology including four linear accelerators, diagnostic equipment, pharmacy facilities and outpatient urgent care
• Inpatient care: 96 inpatient beds on three floors, a dedicated floor for surgical and procedure rooms (up to 11 total), a central sterile processing area and inpatient support spaces
• Research: Wet lab facilities and equipment to support 10 research teams, clinical trial offices and faculty offices

The building is designed to respond to the scale and character of the existing RWJBarnabas campus, while accommodating a diversity of clinical and research programming. Each use is expressed as a distinct pattern on the building’s terracotta façade.

Serving as the “town square,” a four-story atrium lobby spans the full depth of the building. “We designed this atrium to create a biophilic, healing environment that introduces natural light and lush plantings into the heart of the building,” said Brian Jencek, HOK’s global director of planning. “This enhances the health and well-being of patients, visitors, clinicians, students and staff.”

Developer New Brunswick Development Corporation estimates the project will provide approximately 1,000 construction jobs and 500-600 permanent healthcare positions.

The expected completion date for the cancer pavilion is June 2024.

Photo source: hok.com.