designs delivered
Cooper University Health Care
Moorestown Campus
project overview
A Revolution in Accessible Community Care
Seeking to expand outpatient care to the Moorestown, New Jersey community, Cooper University Health Care transformed an existing retail structure into a state-of-the-art outpatient facility and a one-stop destination for most of their ambulatory service offerings Incorporated within the Moorestown Mall, the repurposed facility brings award-winning medical services and compassionate care to its community
AT A GLANCE
• 166,000 SF adaptive reuse / renovation of three-story former retail building
• Design start: September 2021
• Completion: February 2024
• Cooper’s largest ambulatory care facility
• Central “Main Street” connecting main entrance and mall, including:
– Central registration
– Patient waiting pods
– Self-service marketplace café
– Connected care technology hub
– Visitor support services
• Program includes:
– Clinical exam rooms
– Ambulatory surgery: six ORs
– Two interventional procedure rooms
– Long-stay recovery rooms
– Radiology & infusion therapy
– Physical therapy
– Retail pharmacy
Regal Theaters
Boscov’s
Former Macy’s
Former Lord & Taylor
New Cooper Outpatient Center
Proposed apartment buildng
Proposed hotel
site + context
Originally built in 1963, the Moorestown Mall was once a vibrant retail community However, like many shopping centers nationwide, it has experienced a sharp decline in patrons due to the convenience and safety of online shopping in a post-pandemic society Cooper’s new facility, representing a shift from traditional retail to a medical mall, marks the first step in a concerted effort to revitalize this town center Future plans include the construction of an apartment building and a hotel, aiming to restore the mall’s former vibrancy and appeal
THE MEDICAL MALL: A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATION
As a concept, medical malls are installed in converted shopping malls and can take the form of a pure medical center or mixed retail and healthcare space As retail shopping malls as we’ve known them have changed, vacant spaces in those locations have been targets of acquisition for health systems These locations often offer convenient access to patients seeking outpatient services, a sought-after infrastructure for medical services, and ample parking Medical malls also advance local economic development and flexibility for healthcare providers
One major benefit of selecting a vacant retail site for health systems is the existing zoning Depending on local laws, the zoning of retail space can allow for their use with no re-planning Good frontage, often offered by these sites, enhances visibility, wayfinding, and brand recognition When choosing retail sites, health systems should pay special attention to proximal residential areas as this can smooth the pathway to the appropriate county and state approvals
This project was an opportunity for revitalization, changing the economic course and cultural relevance of a town center, and introducing a new standard for community care On the following pages, we explore how the team seized on that chance to deliver a modern, convenient, forward-looking, and high-tech outpatient campus
devising a design
Transforming a former department store at the Moorestown Mall into a state-of-the-art healthcare facility formed the core of the project’s design challenge While the existing three-story, 166,000 SF structure offered a substantial canvas, with expansive floor plates and generous floor-to-floor heights, its adaptive reuse was complicated by outdated, insufficient infrastructure and damage from years of vacancy
The design needed to accommodate a wide range of outpatient services (previously only available at Cooper’s main campus in Camden), including primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, women’s health, radiation oncology, radiology, infusion therapy, and ambulatory surgery In line with Cooper’s commitment to expand convenient healthcare access to the Moorestown community, crafting a seamless patient experience from check-in to treatment was a paramount goal
However, the vision for Cooper Moorestown was more than just an efficient ambulatory care center The design team was tasked with creating a destination healthcare campus that would catalyze the Moorestown Mall’s revitalization It needed to synergize with the current retail mix and planned residential development at the site This required an engaging exterior design that reflected the Cooper brand, stood out amidst its dense surroundings, and set the stage for a premium care experience within
eye-catching exterior
The modern facade, featuring vibrant “Cooper Red” perforated panels, creates a unique appearance that easily catches attention from the major roadway A dramatic two-story section of glass opens up the facade and floods the interior with natural light This design not only enhances the facility’s aesthetic appeal but also reinforces the brand’s presence in the community
The campus offers considerable convenience, providing easy access from major highways, ample parking, and a sought-after infrastructure for medical services A central connecting spine allows entrance from both central registration and the mall, providing uninterrupted patient flow from two points Central support services, a food service location, visitor amenities, and a connected care technology hub along the mall circulation axis integrate the building into the mall experience
interior design
The design of Cooper’s Moorestown Campus focused on fostering community and seamlessly connecting with the surrounding retail environment Upon entry, wood tones embrace visitors, wrapping them in a sense of security and tranquility From the wall and ceiling panels to the furniture and fixtures, every detail has been thoughtfully selected to evoke a feeling of home away from home The textural finishes throughout add a touch of natural elegance and enhance the welcoming nature of this healthcare hub
But it’s not just the materials that make this ambulatory campus a design success—it’s the thoughtful integration of technology and artistry Immersive screens throughout the facility transport patients to local natural scenes, taking them on a vibrant, calming, and memorable journey while they wait These displays distract from the stresses of medical visits and serve as therapeutic tools, promoting relaxation and well-being Adding to this sense of ease, a café marketplace beckons patients and visitors alike to gather, connect, and recharge via inviting seating arrangements, soft lighting, and carefully curated décor
Throughout the building, attention to detail is paramount Textured glass partitions provide privacy without sacrificing natural light, while strategically placed artwork adds visual interest Floor-to-floor heights of 20 feet, inherited from the building’s retail past, offer a canvas for creativity, allowing designers to infuse the space with abundant natural light and carry the dynamic nature of the exterior within the space, carrying in eye-catching pops of red via backlit wall panels and geometric patterns
keys to success
Cooper’s Moorestown Campus as an architectural design project is a story of collaboration, process excellence, and planning success The project team consisted of:
ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER & BUILDER
ENGINEERING & OTHER CONSULTANTS
MULTI-TRADE PREFABRICATION
Multi-Trade Prefabrication (MTP) allows teams to construct multiple building components in an offsite, temperature-controlled environment simultaneously with the building structure and sitework MTP provides the opportunity to shorten project delivery schedules by converting onsite construction to factory production, increasing construction worker safety, providing a uniform working environment, and improving output quality MTP allows for the construction of all repetitive room types to be constructed offsite Exam rooms as well as toilet rooms have been the oftenadopted considerations in this approach over the last five years The ability to expand that to patient rooms, utility spaces, and other clinical support spaces certainly should be explored and considered
Prefabrication saved the Moorestown Campus three months of schedule and installation hours.
The Cooper Moorestown Campus project is a good example of leveraging prefabrication of typical room types and spaces With a program consisting of repetitive room types such as exam and toilet rooms, the project represented a great opportunity to leverage MTP to gain efficiency in schedule With early commitment and participation by the owner, the design, manufacturing, and build team worked in unison to coordinate the most efficient application and planning layouts possible to maximize the return
“One metric we track is offsite hours vs onsite hours For one project with Array, we were able to move 38 percent of onsite hours offsite,” says Craig Melograno, president of PDM Constructors & Durapods, a prefabrication construction firm “Owners—especially those with an OSIP—need to see the value in that efficient use of workers If you’re not moving hours offsite, you’re not progressing It is safer and it doesn’t require as much labor onsite ”
accolades
Ambulatory Surgery Center Category Winner
Commercial – Healthcare First Place
Symposium Distinction Award Adaptive Reuse
Planning your outpatient care project? Contact Array for your design, operational improvement, or consulting needs:
Sam Galvin
Business Development Coordinator
202-795-3670
sgalvin@array-architects com
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