Gensler
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Overview

This adaptive reuse project that converted an office building into an orthopedic clinic promotes mobility, movement, and rehabilitation for patients.

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Client

Opportunity

Converting office buildings into new types of spaces holds promise, especially for the healthcare industry, bringing care closer to communities while reusing underutilized real estate.

HSS saw an opportunity to transform a former office building into a complete outpatient destination where specialized practices, imaging, procedures, and rehabilitation could work together, extending its standard of care while allowing more Northern New Jersey patients to receive care closer to home. Yet transforming such spaces is complex. Gensler was enlisted to reimagine the building, which had low ceilings, an undersized core, and an outdated flow, into a state-of-the-art clinic that could support a seamless patient experience.

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Why This Matters

  1. 01

    Healthcare Closer to Home

    HSS sought to bring leading orthopedic care closer to Northern New Jersey patients, reducing travel while expanding local access to physicians, imaging, procedures, and rehabilitation.

  2. 02

    Care That Moves With You

    Patients often arrive in pain or with limited mobility. A clear, supportive environment helps reduce unnecessary movement and makes every stage of care easier to navigate.

  3. 03

    Reuse With Purpose

    Repositioning an underused office building allowed HSS to expand locally within the community while creating a more sustainable, adaptable model for delivering sophisticated outpatient care.

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Solution

A centralized layout and hospitality-inspired arrival sequence transform the former office floors into a modern clinic designed around comfort, clarity, and movement.

The design groups patient-facing administrative functions at one central service desk, allowing patients to begin and end their visit in the same place. Two new elevators connect the clinic directly to the second-floor physical therapy space, while ceiling and lighting changes support intuitive wayfinding. In the lobby, an open-cell ceiling conceals mechanical systems and creates the illusion of height. Upstairs, natural light, warm wood finishes, private treatment rooms, and fitness-inspired amenities create an uplifting setting for rehabilitation.

Related Content

31K

Square Feet of Converted Outpatient Healthcare Space

23

Exam Rooms Supporting Specialized Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Care

Impact

HSS Paramus expands access to specialized orthopedic care while creating a clear, calming environment that supports patients throughout treatment and rehabilitation.

The center doubles the clinic’s previous Paramus footprint, bringing physician practices, imaging, procedures, and physical therapy together in one accessible outpatient destination.

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What Changed Because of This

  1. 01

    Simplified Navigation

    A centralized service desk, direct elevator access, and clear environmental cues work together to streamline movement and make each step of the visit easier to follow.

  2. 02

    Expanded Access

    Patients can now receive a wider range of HSS services locally, reducing the need for long-distance travel while staying connected to specialized orthopedic care.

  3. 03

    Coordinated Care

    Adjacency in care team areas improves visibility and collaboration between staff, helping providers coordinate more efficiently while maintaining a consistent experience across exam rooms.

Recognition

01

Interior Design

Recognized Paramus Orthopedic Clinic with a 2025 Best of year Honoree Award.

02

Interior Design

Recognized Paramus Orthopedic Clinic with a 2026 NYCxDESIGN Honoree Award.

Team

Project Leadership

FAQ

01

What is HSS Paramus?

HSS Paramus is a 31,000-square-foot outpatient center in Paramus, New Jersey. It extends HSS’s specialized orthopedic and musculoskeletal care to patients across Northern New Jersey.

02

Why did HSS convert an office building into a healthcare center?

The conversion allowed HSS to bring care closer to the community while reusing underutilized real estate. Gensler repositioned two existing office floors to support modern outpatient healthcare.

03

When did HSS Paramus open?

HSS announced the opening of the expanded Paramus outpatient center in April 2025, increasing access to specialized orthopedic and musculoskeletal care in Northern New Jersey.

04

How did the design accommodate advanced imaging equipment?

The team incorporated electromagnetic shielding for the MRI suite, along with the structural, mechanical, and safety measures required to support advanced imaging within a former office building.