The new state-of-the-art Asplundh Cancer Pavilion’s 86,000-square-foot outpatient center just outside of Philadelphia in Willow Grove, Pa., brings together cancer-fighting science with a serene healing environment. The $80 million facility is located at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Abington-Jefferson Health, one of only 70 NCI-designated cancer centers in the country.
Biophilic design brings nature to new cancer center
Photo: Joe Garvin
Designed by EwingCole, Philadelphia, the new center offers a comprehensive range of services including leading-edge outpatient care, clinical research and support services in one facility. The designers used local stone and indigenous plants, for the project, which is made up of two buildings connected by a curving façade of a large glass curtainwall with metal accents.
Peg O’Grady, Asplundh Cancer Pavilion’s administrative director, oncology at Abington-Jefferson Health, says the design team did an incredible job bringing the outdoors into the Pavilion with abundant natural light, birch and moss design elements, and views of the surrounding greenery. “Research shows that the environment has an effect on the burden of disease and healing times, so we were sure to make each choice thoughtfully,” she says.
Kawneer Co. Inc., Norcross, Ga., supplied the large, vertical aluminum sunshade fines, and 8- to 12-inch-deep horizontal curtainwall cover plates. Linetec, Wausau, Wis., finished the aluminum components in a hazelnut brown, textured wood grain color to capture the look and feel of wood.
Photo: Joe Garvin
“Offering long-term durability, the finished aluminum components also are less costly than real wood, providing superior performance and retaining the natural aesthetic,” says Tammy Schroeder, LEED Green Associate, marketing manager at Linetec.
R.A. Kennedy & Sons Inc., Aston, Pa., installed all of the exterior glazing, which included two- and four-sided structural glazed curtainwall, traditional curtainwall, aluminum entrances and custom aluminum trims. Kawneer’s aluminum framing was used for the four-sided, structural glazed curtainwall.
R.A. Kennedy fabricated the glass and subframe together and then installed it on-site into the curtainwall’s carrier frames. The two-sided system used a conventional structural glazing process. Additionally, Robert Ganter Contractors Inc., Quakertown, Pa., assisted R.A. Kennedy with the wood grain-finished sunshades and accents.
The LEED-certified Asplundh Cancer Pavilion opened in June 2018. The center was funded in part by a lead gift made by the children of the late Carl and Emilie Asplundh, who honored their parents by naming the building.
“Understanding the need for this new facility and expanded programming, our community has supported this effort by making more than 5,000 contributions to our Reimagine Cancer Care Campaign,” says Meg McGoldrick, president, Abington-Jefferson Health. “The Asplundh Cancer represents our commitment to meeting the greatest health care needs of our community.”