From Frank Gehry to Amanda Levete, starchitects are designing the highest-standard facilities for cancer support at Maggie’s Centres, proving that design can be wholesome, holistic and beneficial to recovery. Here, we round up some of the striking centres making a difference across the UK...
Location: Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland
Architect: Frank Gehry Associates
Completed: 2003
Key features: Modelled on a traditional Scottish ‘butt n’ ben’ dwelling, wavy silver roof, Arabella Lenox-Boyd-designed garden and labyrinth
Photography: Raf Makda
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Architect: CZWG and Sir Paul Smith
Completed: 2011
Key features: Generous height, near-symmetrical design, open plan design, Sir Paul Smith interiors
Photography: Tony Barwell
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Architect: MJP Architects
Completed: 2010
Key features: Extension to the existing Victorian Grade II-listed Pool Keeper’s Lodge, exterior cladding made of locally sourced hardwood, winged roof, semi-circular ‘refuges’ offer secluded spaces for counselling
Photography: Peter Durant
Location: Singleton Hospital, Swansea, Wales
Architects: Kisho Kurokawa and Garbers & James
Completed: 2011
Key features: Concrete spiral façade with titanium plates, curved zinc metal roof
Photography: Jasmin Sohi
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England
Architect: Cullinan Studio
Completed: 2013
Key features: L-shaped plan, low-energy design, roof garden with bowling green
Photography: Jasmin Sohi
Location: Kircaldy Hospital, Fife, Scotland
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Completed: 2006
Key features: Zaha Hadid’s first permanent structure in the UK, triangular windows, sweeping black roof
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester, England
Architect: Foster + Partners
Completed: 2016
Key features: Symmetrical design, roof angles up at the centre to create a slim mezzanine, intricate timber frame
Photography: Jasmin Sohi
Location: Raigmore Hospital, Highlands, Scotland
Architect: Page\Park Architects
Completed: 2005
Key features: Green copper-clad timber frame, spiral structure inspired by mitosis or the division of cells
Photography: Nick Turner
Location: Clatterbridge, Merseyside, England
Architect: Carmody Groarke
Completed: 2014
Key features: First temporary Maggie’s Centre, incorporates seven existing structures including the 11m-long ‘London Dresser’ commissioned for the 2012 London Olympics, panoramic views over the Wirral farming fields
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Architect: Wilkinson Eyre
Completed: 2014
Key features: Timber treehouse design supported on stilts, angular geometry maximises the relationship between the inside spaces and sylvan surrounds
Photography: Philip Durrant