ArchDaily - Building of the Year Awards 2017

Framing ceremony at Maggie’s at The Christie celebrates start of construction

22.04.2015 - Maggie’s, the charity that provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends, today celebrated the start of construction work for a new Centre built within the grounds of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. The Centre, designed by Lord Norman Foster and Foster + Partners, will be the charity’s largest to date and is expected to receive visits from 60,000 people a year from across Greater Manchester once established.

Lord Foster said:
“I have first-hand experience of the distress of a cancer diagnosis and understand how important Maggie’s Centres are as a retreat offering sanctuary and support. Our aim in Manchester, the city of my youth, is to create a building that is welcoming, friendly and without any of the institutional references of a hospital or health centre – a light-filled, homely space where people can gather, talk or simply reflect. That is why throughout the building there is a focus on natural light, greenery and views; with a greenhouse to provide fresh flowers, and an emphasis on the therapeutic qualities of nature and the outdoors. The timber frame, which is being installed today, helps to connect the building with the surrounding greenery – externally, this structure will be partially planted with vines, making the architecture appear to dissolve into the gardens.”

To mark the occasion Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive, Roger Spencer, Chief Executive at The Christie and principal donors to the new Centre, unveiled a 20 foot high timber frame which will form the main structure of the Centre at The Christie. A time capsule was also buried on site containing personal mementos from donors and supporters to the Centre and a sketch from Foster + Partners.

Every year 50,000 people are diagnosed with cancer across Greater Manchester, facing tough questions, exhausting treatment and difficult emotions that can range from anxiety to loneliness and isolation. These challenges affect not only those with cancer, but their family and friends too. Working in partnership with The Christie the new Maggie’s Centre will significantly enhance the cancer support already offered across the region.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive said:
“I’m delighted that construction of Maggie’s at The Christie has been able to start in earnest, bringing us one step closer to the Centre opening its doors. My sincere thanks go to everyone who has supported Maggie’s and made our Centre at The Christie a reality.”

Built in the grounds of NHS hospitals, Maggie’s Centres are warm and welcoming places, with qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. The Centre will be there for anyone and everyone affected by cancer, offering an enhanced and unique evidence-based programme of support delivered in an uplifting, non-clinical environment, as well as a comprehensive service of complementary therapies including psychological support, benefits advice, nutrition workshops, relaxation and stress management, art therapy, tai chi and yoga.

Maggie’s relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support. The charity aims to make the biggest difference it can to people living with cancer, their family and friends.



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Maggie’s, the charity which provides practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer, has applied for planning permission for a new Maggie’s Centre in the grounds of The Christie in Manchester. The Centre is designed by world-renowned architects, Foster + Partners.

Working in partnership with The Christie - a global leader in cancer treatment and research - the new Maggie’s Centre will provide free practical, emotional and social support for anyone living with cancer as well as their family and friends. The Centre will significantly enhance the cancer support already offered at The Christie to include Maggie’s evidence-based core programme of support delivered in an uplifting non-clinical environment, as well as a comprehensive service of complementary therapies. The new Centre is due to open in 2016.

Maggie’s Chief Executive, Laura Lee said, “We are delighted that Lord Norman Foster is designing the Maggie’s Centre at The Christie. Great architecture is vital to the care Maggie’s offers, creating environments that are both calm and uplifting. The application for planning permission brings us one step closer to the Centre becoming a reality and being able to offer the highest quality cancer support to the people of the North West.”

Deputy chief operating officer at The Christie, Dr Stephanie Jenkins, said;

“This is an exciting step forward in a development which would make a huge difference to our patients and their families. A Maggie’s Centre would significantly enhance the cancer care and support already offered at The Christie, giving our patients access to a wider range of therapies and support. We look forward to the outcome of the planning application.”

As one of the leading architects of his generation, Lord Norman Foster’s works include an international portfolio of famous buildings including 30 St Mary Axe – otherwise known as “The Gherkin”, Hong Kong International Airport and Hearst Tower in New York. The design of the new Maggie’s Centre at The Christie is particularly personal to him as he was both born in Manchester and has had first-hand experience of the distress of a cancer diagnosis.

Set in a peaceful garden, the existing green spaces inspired the Centre’s design, which draws upon natural themes that engage the outdoors. Arranged over a single storey, the natural timber structure focuses around a wide, central spine with the roof rising in the centre to create a mezzanine level beautifully illuminated with natural light. Exposed lightweight beams and timber lattice support the roof while also defining different spaces. An integrated glass house extends from the south of the building, providing a space for people to gather and enjoy the therapeutic qualities of nature and the outdoors while the interior palette combines warm, natural wood and tactile fabrics.

Lord Norman Foster explains;

“We are delighted to be designing a new Maggie’s Centre in Manchester – this project has a particular personal significance, as I was born in the city and have first-hand experience of the distress of a cancer diagnosis. I believe in the power of architecture to lift the spirits and help in the process of therapy. Within the Centre, there is a variety of spaces – visitors can gather around a big kitchen table, find a peaceful place to think or they can work with their hands in the greenhouse. Throughout, there is a focus on natural light and contact with the gardens. The timber frame, with its planted lattice helps to dissolve the architecture into the surrounding greenery.”

To complement Lord Norman Foster’s design, the surrounding gardens are designed by landscape designer Dan Pearson, combining a rich mix of spaces, from the working glass house to bright clusters of flowers and tranquil water features. The colours and sensory experience of nature will become part of the Centre through micro gardens and internal courtyards, which relate to the different spaces within the building.

To the south of the Centre, a pool and moving water will provide a calm space for reflection set amidst the greenery. Deep canopies will shelter the Centre’s open terraces from rain, allowing people to enjoy fresh air and the garden whatever the weather.

Maggie’s Centres are warm and welcoming places with qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional well-being. The support available at the new Maggie’s Centre at The Christie will include psychological support, benefits advice, nutrition workshops, relaxation and stress management, art therapy, tai chi and yoga.

There are already 17 Maggie’s Centres in the UK and all are designed by leading architects. Each architect offers a unique interpretation of the same brief, based on the needs of a person living with cancer, to create the calm environments so important to the people who visit and work in the Centres.