Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care

Playful environments for unparalleled care

Client: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Size: 706,000 square feet
Status: Completed; LEED Gold Certified

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was the nation’s first hospital devoted exclusively to caring for children. Today, CHOP is one of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals. The institution has a longstanding partnership with CannonDesign and Blue Cottage of CannonDesign to uncover adaptable and innovative solutions as they blaze a path of transformational change in ambulatory care, inpatient care, and pediatric research.

As the first outpatient building for CHOP, the Buerger Center includes state-of-the-art clinical facilities and interactive indoor and outdoor programs. These spaces are tied together to reinforce the hospital’s mission statement: to provide a positive medical experience and to embrace the playfulness and continual motion of all children.

The building is organized by sub-specialty into clinical neighborhoods, including oncology, hematology, diagnostic imaging, and more. The neighborhoods give families access to co-joined services and provide multi-disciplinary care teams with an optimal collaboration environment.

Inside, an accessible curvilinear ramp flows through the main lobby providing a series of respites. Visitors of all abilities/mobility are invited to play, contemplate and enjoy this ramp. The ramp reinforces CHOP’s goal of “accessible by all.”

A “Children in Motion” concept is reflected in the building’s exterior, interior public spaces, and landscape, leading to positive experiences for visiting families.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia — A “Children in Motion” concept is reflected in the building’s exterior, interior public spaces, and landscape, leading to positive experiences for visiting families.

Underground parking is blanketed by a large urban park including activity centers, circuitous paths, and water features. Above, a green roof provides respite for families and staff with multiple surfaces and finishes to serve as a physical rehabilitation area. Within one of America’s densest cities, this unique exterior experience provides families and children spaces within which to enjoy, understand or reflect on their visit to the facility.