In this series, I feature a different Maggie’s centre every month, in order to promote the amazing work they do using design and architecture to make people’s lives better. They offer emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends from striking buildings in the grounds of major cancer hospitals. They’re building new centres all the time, and the latest one has just opened in Newcastle. The centre was designed by Ted Cullinan, chairman of Edward Cullinan Architects, who say on their website: “Maggie Keswick Jencks had a vision to create a network of imaginatively designed drop-in care centres after she was diagnosed with cancer. They are created in line with Maggie’s belief in the power of buildings to inspire people and provide a positive environment for care and support.
“Maggie’s Newcastle injects a seasonally responsive, fluxing, landscaped realm into the Freeman Hospital grounds. Responding to the forces of sun and time, the centre sits still within its landscaped banks and under a planted roof allowing copper beeches, cherry blossom, crocuses, wild flowers and herbs to delight with the seasons.”
The centre has two wings – one contains private counselling rooms and a large open living room space, the other leads to the heart of every Maggie’s centre; the kitchen table. With the strap line “calmness, clarity and a cup of tea” just listening to somebody tell their story over a cuppa is central to the support Maggie’s offers, and the support visitors give each other.
A library in the middle of the building features a staircase up to a mezzanine level, covered by an angled roof. Photovoltaic panels contribute to the sustainability of Maggie’s most environmentally friendly centre yet.
The mezzanine leads out onto the flat landscaped roof, screened by planting. Visitors can see and walk out into a courtyard from the kitchen and large meeting room. Outside space which lets visitors to feel a connection to nature and to see the changing of the seasons is an important part of the design of all Maggie’s centres.
The banked earth around the courtyard and building provides a sense of shelter and privacy, and a smaller pavilion creates another outdoor place for conversation or simply spending time alone, contemplating the surroundings. The landscape always looks a little unfinished on opening day, but “vibrant planting” will ensure that over time, the building will sit in its environment perfectly.
Full access to all parts of the building, roof and landscape provides visitors with a sense of ownership and allows for exploration and discovery on a relatively small site. As people find their own way through cancer, centres often provide something that can work as a physical metaphor for that journey.
In a direct attempt to attract more men to the centre, the architect has included opportunities for gardening, barbecuing, hedge clipping and outdoor games and even built gym equipment into his design. Men are typically less keen to seek emotional support when faced with cancer, but reap the benefits when they do, so Maggie’s is working hard to increase the number of male visitors.
“Maggie’s Centres aim at a wonderful balance of the moral with the aesthetic. We are thrilled to be involved.” says Ted Cullinan of Edward Cullinan Architects.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
