Creative Spaces for Healing

Maggie Keswick Jenckswife, mother, daughter, scholar and writer, landscape designer

and painter

About our Buildings

"Although the design and aesthetics of the building are key elements of the Maggie's philosophy, those first

impressions of light, calm, comfort, welcome and difference were mesmerising as we gradually took in the

surroundings" Andy Millward

Maggie’s Center

Every Maggie's centre:•    is built beside an NHS cancer hospital. That means they’re easy to get to if you are receiving

treatment at the hospital but also reflects our close relationship with the NHS.

•    is individual and built to stand out from the hospital beside it.

•    is built around the kitchen. There is a large central table and the kettle is always on.

•    has interesting artwork on the walls, comfortable furniture with plumped cushions and refreshing views. The flowers are fresh and the fruit bowl full.

•    has an open plan design. There are no long corridors or rows of shut doors. There are no signs on doors or arrows to point out your way.

Why do Maggie's Centres all look different?• Some of the worlds most famous architects have designed for Maggie’s. 

 •    Maggie Keswick Jencks, the founder of Maggie’s, held a profound belief that architecture and environment could deeply affect how you feel. •    Maggie’s wants you to know that you matter. That you are an individual not a cancer patient and that you are valued.  Our aim is to create uplifting buildings that surprise, revive and refresh your spirit.  If all our buildings were the same we could not use the environment in the most creative way.•    It takes enormous courage to ask for help.  Maggie’s Centres are built to be as enticing and intriguing as possible to help you to take that step to come through the door.•    We want each community to feel proud of its own Maggie’s.  That they have ownership of their own special building not a brand of identical buildings.

• "They are buildings to make people feel human when they are at their most vulnerable." Edwin Heathcote, Journalist.

• "From the outside the playful appearance will entice people to take a look through the door; once they do the harmony of light and space will create a uniquely welcoming environment." Piers Gough, Architect

FRANK GEHRY

FRANK GEHRY

A lounge for group sessions

ZAHA HADID

The room designated for relaxation classes and meetings between

patients and doctors is open and bright.

In a lounge area that’s also used for tai chi classes, light pours in

through irregular triangular openings in a wall and the ceiling.

The center’s kitchen and dining area, left, and the library are furnished to feel like a private home.

Richard Rogers The London Maggie’s Centre, at Charing Cross hospital, was

designed by architect Richard Rogers. Above: A courtyard for contemplation precedes the entrance to the vibrantly colored building.

Maggie’s Center

• "This is a place that feels as if it's about life, rather than death…it's a place of reassurance and respite." Deyan Sudjic

4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the Cotswolds each year, and the Maggie’s Centre which we plan for the grounds of Cheltenham General Hospital will be there for everyone affected by cancer in the Three Counties area of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, a population in excess of 1,100,000.

• CotswoldsSir Richard MacCormac of MacCormac Jamieson Prichard

North-East

Farshid Moussavi and Alejandro Zaera Polo from Foreign Office Architects.

Maggie's North East forms part of the Joy of Living campaign: we are working towards raising £3 million for this Centre which will be built at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

Nottingham

Piers Gough of CZWG Architects

we are working towards raising £3 million for this Centre which will be built at City Hospital campus, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

http://www.maggiescentres.org/maggies/maggiescentres/home/about/buildingdesign.html

Creative Spaces for Healing

  1. built beside an NHS cancer hospital. That means they’re easy to get to if you are receiving treatment

at the hospital but also reflects our close relationship with the NHS.  

2. is individual and built to stand out from the hospital beside it.

3.   is built around the kitchen. There is a large central table and the kettle is always on.

4.    has interesting artwork on the walls, comfortable furniture with plumped cushions and refreshing views. The flowers are fresh and the fruit bowl full.

5.   has an open plan design. There are no long corridors or rows of shut doors. There are no signs on doors or arrows to point out your way.