Highlighting EDAW and RWJ Somerset’s New Eating Disorders Unit

NK Architects has recently completed a new state-of the-art Eating Disorders Unit (EDU) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (RWJUH). Surprisingly, it’s only one of two hospital-based EDU’s in the state of New Jersey! With the recent completion of this new unit, NK would like to take a moment to acknowledge Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW), which is taking place February 27, 2023 - March 5, 2023. This year, NEDA, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, is honoring Strength through Experience and Knowledge by recognizing that It’s Time for Change.

NK Architects has been nationally recognized for our dedication to behavioral health design. We are adept at developing creative solutions that we believe are in the best interests of both the patient and provider. As strong advocates for mental health awareness, we are dedicated to creating safe and comfortable environments for those suffering from mental illness.

Our experience with major state and county psychiatric institutions has resulted in an understanding of the evolution of psychiatric design in America.  Since the recognition of treatment for mental health through institutionalization and therapy, the trend has evolved from the urban “asylum” to the large-scale institutional model in a self-contained village setting. With that in mind, Bryan Pennington, Associate Principal at NK Architects, and several other team members, came together to undertake the design of RWJUH Somerset’s new Eating Disorders Unit.

RWJUH Somerset’s new Eating Disorders Program provides comprehensive treatment for individuals ages 14+ who suffer from a variety of eating disorders. This program has been implemented to educate young men and women, which has been essential in building awareness and change. Unfortunately, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders, surpassed only by opioid use disorder.

Contrary to what many people believe, an eating disorder is not a physical disorder, it is a mental illness. When designing this facility, we had to follow strict behavioral health guidelines and design methodologies. The EDU was completed in several phases to achieve the final product. Throughout this project, our designers utilized biophilia, which is incorporated into all our behavioral health projects, to encourage patients to connect with nature through the choice of calming wall decor and minimal design.

Because research shows that tuning into circadian rhythms can improve physical and emotional wellbeing, the EDU is also designed to help patients synchronize their internal biological clocks with the time of day. Lighting and shades in group areas are on automatic timers coordinated with sunrise and sunset, while patient rooms are outfitted with patient-controlled lighting and shades to foster a sense of independence and personal control.

 The future of this unit includes a plan to create greenhouses off each day space connecting the unit to a confined outdoor area. In addition to providing an outdoor group therapy space, the idea is that the greenhouses will later be incorporated into the program to teach patients how to develop a positive relationship with food by growing it, touching it, and harvesting it.  Soft tones and organic colors and shapes have been applied throughout the design of this project creating consistency throughout each space.

Our goal in designing and completing this project has been to raise awareness and support to those suffering with mental disorders. Shockingly, only one in ten people with eating disorders will receive proper treatment. With the completion of this unit, we are hopeful that those who need and deserve treatment will now have access to a program and facility that will educate and encourage each individual to strive towards recovery.

For more information please visit:

Somerville Eating Disorders Program | Mental & Behavioral Health (rwjbh.org)

Eating Disorders Awareness Week | National Eating Disorders Association