Rather than be divvied up into separate departments as is the norm, all of the neuro disciplines will be united in one building (the first in the country to do so) when the Philadelphia Neurological Institute (PNI) opens adjacent to the Crozer-Chester Medical Center campus in Upland, Pennsylvania, in 2023.

Designed to exchange a free flow of ideas among neurosurgeons, neurologists, and researchers, the 350,000-square-foot project, courtesy of the Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign in Los Angeles, will be arranged as a cluster of masses, each with a specific focus. But, embodying the facility’s mission of harmony will be a central “hub” aiming to spark interactions between disciplines as well as conversations among patients, medical staff, and family members.

A full slate of offerings includes 145 patient beds, an emergency department, an intensive care unit, operating rooms, a radiology/imaging suite, a rehabilitation center, and an outpatient care center. There will also be an entire wing for commercial and development partners to collaborate closely with researchers on improving overall health outcomes. Additionally, all care services will come directly to the patient, eliminating the need for unnecessary travel and wait times.

In terms of design, a unitized curtain wall for the façade will alternate vertical metal panels with insulated glass units that vary in width depending upon the amount of natural light and privacy needed. Inside, patients will be immediately uplifted by the presence of a soaring double-height glass volume, a sculptural staircase, and heaps of greenery. Views of the outdoors will also be important throughout, forging connections with rooftop gardens and the surrounding creek, trails, and woodlands.

A version of this article was originally published by Healthcare Design.