Maggie’s Cheltenham is the seventh Maggie’s Centre to be opened and the second centre in England. Designed by the former president of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Sir Richard MacCormac, in association with London practice MJP Architects, the facility is located adjacent to the River Cheltenham and a stone’s throw from the NHS Cancer Treatment Centre at Cheltenham General Hospital.
Maggie’s Cheltenham contains a renovated existing lodge building and a new single-storey extension. The extension is clad and lined in locally sourced hardwood and sits under a large, winged roof that appears to float above the walls. The entire facility is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden. Two cylindrical ‘refuges’ are featured in the specially designed garden areas providing secluded and private spaces. The entire design provides a series of reassuring spaces, and offers a domestic context, distinct from the institutionalized character of the hospital.
The ground floor rooms are designed to offer private one-to-one spaces whereas the kitchen in the new extension aims to facilitate communal interaction. The large table, inglenook and stove, comfortable seating, bookcases and fresh flowers offer the facility a homely and comfortable feeling.
Dr Christine Facer Hoffman has provided garden design at Maggie’s Cheltenham. Maggie’s Cheltenham’s design is inspired by the mathematically-derived sigmoid curve, a tilted S-shape motif, which is a visual metaphor for life and living, aspects so relevant to the centre. The curving entrance path links to an eye-catching S-shaped water sculpture by Bill Pye. The courtyard garden adjacent to the centre provides both a restful and energizing place to engage the senses.
The main objective behind the sensitive design is that the building, with its combination of openness and intimacy can provide a sanctuary away from the busy hospital which will complement the emotional and psychological support provided by the Maggie’s Cheltenham staff.
The Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres foundation, founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks and Charles Jencks, opened the first Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh in 1996, and has since commissioned a series of innovative buildings designed by world-class architects.
