Maggie’s Centre, Manchester

Maggie’s Centre is adjacent to The Christie Hospital in Manchester. The building is the home of the Maggie’s charity which provides free practical, emotional and social support to cancer patients.

We provided the detailed building services design for this inspirational new centre, which was designed by the world-renowned architect Lord Norman Foster. The building services brief was for natural light and ventilation, allowing visitors to feel close to their surroundings.

The centre is intended to provide a “home away from home”, with inspiring architecture to lift the spirits and help in the process of therapy. The building is single storey, with a natural timber structure focused around a wide, central spine with the roof rising in the centre to create a mezzanine level. Exposed lightweight beams and timber lattice support the roof whilst 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 outdoors.

Throughout the centre, there is a focus on natural light, greenery and garden views. To complement the building design, the surrounding gardens are designed by landscape designer, Dan Pearson, combining the working glass house, to bright clusters of flowers and tranquil water features.

There are already 17 Maggie’s Centres throughout the UK. Each one has been designed by a leading architect, each offering a different interpretation of the brief to provide a calm environment for someone living with cancer.

This building was shortlisted for the GM Chamber Building of the Year 2017.