Judge says that building could 'move onlookers to tears'

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Maggie's London wins a prestigious RIBA award for architectural excellence

The Maggie's Centre in Hammersmith has won a   prestigious ‘London project of the year’ award from RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.

 

 

The centre, which is in the grounds of Charing Cross Hospital in Fulham Palace Road centre, was designed by Rogers, Stirk Harbour + Partners, and has recieved visits from Sarah Brown, Nigella Lawson and  Michelle Obama since opening in 2008. 

 

RIBA Awards are given to buildings that have high architectural standards and contribute to their local environment.

 

One of the judges, architect Alison Brooks, said the architecture of Maggie's London could 'move onlookers to tears'.

 

“It is not normally in the power of architecture to move onlookers to tears, but this extraordinary building has inadvertently proven its ability to do just that. How is it possible that a building can generate an immediate and pervasive sense of welcome, warmth, serenity - and even love - in the context of a frantic Hammersmith thoroughfare and in the shadow of a dauntingly huge NHS hospital?" she said.

 

"This is the poetry that Rogers Stirk Harbour has worked at the Maggie’s Centre in Fulham Palace Road. Their quietly confident building is truly, unquestionably a haven for those who have been diagnosed with cancer. Their achievement is in having created a completely informal, home-like sanctuary to help patients learn to live - or die - with cancer, beautifully."

 

Ms Brooks said that the centre was sheltered from its harsh surroundings by a 'cheerfully orange' masonry wall serving as a backdrop for ‘carefully planted tree groves and gardens.’

 

She also said that the positive spirit of the centre was signalled with a roof canopy that protects the centre's internal gardens, courtyards and roof terraces.

 

“This is the impression one has from a distance, while approaching the centre along the exquisite garden walk that has been design by Dan Pearson. With one large opening in the centre’s façade providing a glimpse of a courtyard garden and dining table, it immediately speaks of simple human pleasures. It invites us in." she added.

 

“Passing along the garden wall to the Centre’s entrance one first encounters a window seat, from where one can sit and contemplate the garden at the end of the passage, or the entrance door to the centre itself. This is a place allowing visitors to stop, rest, take a deep breath, and make a decision to either enter or to turn back. How many buildings provide their visitors such a simple luxury, to spend some time sitting in a beautiful spot before actually going in?"

 

The RIBA jury awarded RSH's Maggie's Centre the award because it succeeded in fulfilling a demanding brief; creating a sanctuary for terminally ill cancer sufferers, and creating a timeless work of architecture.

May 27, 2009