In healthcare today we see an advancing approach to holistic healthcare, meeting the physical and physiological needs of patients. In England Maggie’s Centers have emerged as a part of this holistic healthcare. Designed specifically for cancer patients and their families, Maggie’s Centers provide a community and educates patients about their options.
Assigned as an individual project, the Maggie’s Center was the right size to tackle in an integrated studio. Students were tasked with exploring not only the design and development of space, but asked to investigate the structural and mechanical needs of the building. The idea was to design a real world need.
When designing the Maggie’s Center, students had a large amount of creative freedom. In my design the Maggie’s Center has been split into two separate buildings with a centralized, yet recessed, courtyard. A large sculpture in the back inspired by Richard Serra also serves as a meditative space. Art was a big factor in designing the space, as such the secondary building is a dedicated studio space. A space where patients and their families can express and channel their feelings.
