Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey, is a teaching hospital in the prevention, diagnosis, research, and treatment of heart, lung, and vascular diseases. Founded in 1922, Deborah has treated more than 2.3 million hearts from across the United States and 87 countries. It is also the only adult hospital in the US that provides 100 percent waived hospital bills to those experiencing financial hardship.

To maintain its high standard of care and meet evolving patient needs, the hospital needed to expand its inpatient capacity, modernize clinical spaces, and improve the overall patient experience. The Deborah Heart and Lung Center expansion delivers a transformative upgrade to one of the nation’s leading cardiac care institutions.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding Pinelands, the design incorporates biophilic elements, intuitive planning, and a natural material palette to promote healing and wellness. The new entry façade features warm-toned wood-look cladding, expanded drop-off areas, and a five-story living green wall, providing an iconic visual symbol of renewal and growth.

Throughout the facility, transparency and connectivity to nature are key in promoting wellness. Expansive curtainwall glazing in patient rooms brings daylight and sweeping views of the wooded campus into the clinical environment.

In tandem with the vertical expansion, major renovations to the main hospital building deliver upgraded observation units, redesigned outpatient pathways, and a fully reimagined entrance experience. The inpatient tower includes 36 private rooms designed for universal use, enabling seamless transitions between standard medical and critical care. Supported by an additional mechanical floor, the expansion increases total inpatient capacity to 95 single-occupancy rooms, improving patient privacy, operational flexibility, and high-quality specialized care.

Design: EwingCole
Photography: Halkin | Mason Photography