Maggie's Wins Stirling Prize

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Architectural Awards for Charing Cross Cancer Care Centre

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, at Charing Cross Hospital inFulham Palace Road has been announced as the Winner of the 2009 Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architectural award.

And Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee has received the award of Client of the Year from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The centre was designed by Richard Rogers' practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to create a sanctuary for cancer patients.

Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee says: " Maggie’s is absolutely thrilled that Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners have won the Stirling Prize for their remarkable design of our London Cancer Caring Centre.

" The Stirling Prize recognizes buildings that significantly influence the evolution of architecture and Richard Rogers' design is changing the understanding of how environment impacts on health and well-being. “

" We have a constant stream of visitors to Maggie’s London from all over the world, from both architecture and healthcare. They come to see how a building can actually be an intrinsic part of the care provided within, so much more than just a place to house a service. The way that this building is challenging thinking about health and design was recognised when RSH+P's design for Maggie's London was named winner of the 2008 Building Better Healthcare Judges' Special Award for Best Primary Care Design."

Maggie's was opened in May 2008 and celebrated its first anniversary earlier this year with a visit from America's First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Laura says: " Since its opening, Maggie’s London Centre has provided information and support to thousands of people affected by cancer. We had hoped to have about 10,000 visits to the centre in its first year after opening, but it has surpassed all expectation with almost 20,000 visits to date.

" The environment created by our centres is a core element of the care that we provide within them and Lord Rogers' stunning design of Maggie’s London makes a huge impact on the people with cancer and their family and friends, who all come in for help. "

This is the third prize won by the centre. In November 2008, it was named Winner of the 2008 Building Better Healthcare Judges' Special Award for Best Primary Care Design and in May, it was awarded the RIBA London Building of the Year.

The jury commented about the building: "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? This is the poetry that Rogers Stirk Harbour have worked at the Maggie’s Centre in Fulham Palace Road."

About her award as Client of the Year, Laura says:" Maggie Keswick Jencks, the founder of Maggie’s, held a profound belief that architecture and environment could deeply affect how you feel. The way that the architectural community has responded to Maggie’s vision has been truly remarkable.

" As a client it is thrilling to see how each architect interprets the Maggie’s brief. Each building is wonderfully unique, and yet they all create a space with the incredible atmosphere that is Maggie’s. They are buildings that make people feel valued and supported through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives."

This lifetime honour for Laura, who was made an honorary member of the RIBA In February, is in acknowledgement of the contributions both she and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres have made to the world of architecture.

October 18, 2009