中文

 Steven Holl Architects

MAGGIE’S CENTRE BARTS

London, United Kingdom. 2017

Description +

PROGRAM: Center for practical, social and emotional support for people with cancer

CLIENT: Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie's)

SIZE: 6,534 sf

STATUS: complete

The site in the center of London is adjacent to the large courtyard of St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Founded in Smithfield in the 12th century, the hospital is the oldest in London and was founded at the same time as the St Bartholomew the Great Church in 1123. Rahere founded the church and hospital “for the restoration of poor men.” Layers of history characterize this unique site, connecting deeply to the Medieval culture of London.

While most all of the realized Maggie’s Centres have been horizontal buildings, the centre at St Bartholomew’s is more vertical, sitting on the historically charged site. It replaces a pragmatic 1960s brick structure adjacent to a 17th century stone structure by James Gibbs, holding the “Great Hall” and the famous Hogarth staircase.

The building was envisioned as a “vessel within a vessel within a vessel.” The structure is a branching concrete frame, the inner layer is perforated bamboo and the outer layer is matte white glass with colored glass fragments recalling “neume notation” of Medieval music of the 13th century. The word neume originates from the Greek pnevma, which means ‘vital force.’ It suggests a ‘breath of life’ that fills oneself with inspiration like a stream of air, the blowing of the wind. The outer glass layer is organized in horizontal bands like a musical staff while the concrete structure branches like the hand.

The three story centre has an open curved staircase integral to the concrete frame with open spaces vertically lined in perforated bamboo. The glass facade geometry, like a musical “staff” is in horizontal strips 90 cm wide, which follow the geometry of the main stair along the north facade, while lifting up with clear glass facing the main square, marking the main front entry. There is a second entry on the west opening to the extended garden of the adjacent church.

The building tops out in a public roof garden with flowering trees open to a large room for yoga, Tai Chi, meetings etc. The interior character of this building will be shaped by colored light washing the floors and walls, changing by the time of day and season. Interior lighting is organized to allow the colored lenses together with the translucent white glass of the facade to present a new, joyful, glowing presence on this corner of the great square of the Barts Hospital.

About Maggie’s
Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their families and friends. Built in the grounds of NHS hospitals, their Centres are warm and encouraging places, with professional staff on hand to offer the support you need to find your way through cancer

About the Maggie’s Podcast
The Maggie’s Podcast is an audio series about what it means to live well with cancer. A cast of celebrities, experts and visitors to Maggie’s unique cancer caring Centres will give voice to stories of strength, support and surprise. Listen here

Ecological Innovation +

– Ecological Okalux insulating glass
– Green roof terrace
– Natural bamboo interior
– Transparent glass cavity wall
– Active slab insulating with natural ventilation

Videos +

  • Maggie’s Centre Barts, London

Credits +

  • architect

    - Steven Holl Architects

    Steven Holl (design architect, principal)

    Chris McVoy (senior partner in charge)

    Dominik Sigg (project architect, associate)

    Bell Ying Yi Cai, Gemma Gene, Martin Kropac, Christina Yessios, Magdalena Naydekova (project team)

  • associate architects

    - jmarchitects

  • landscape architect

    - Darren Hawkes

  • engineer

    - Arup

    (structural, civil, climate, and mechanical)

  • historic building advisor

    - Donald Insall Associates

  • lighting consultant

    - L'Observatoire International

  • CDM Coordinator

    - Floor Projects LLP

  • code consultant

    - Butler & Young

  • planning advisor

    - DP9

  • cost estimator

    - Gardiner & Theobald

  • construction manager

    - Sir Robert McAlpine

  • archeology

    - MOLA

  • glass consultant

    - Arup

News +

Awards +

  • 2019 SURFACE DESIGN AWARDS, SUPREME WINNER AND PUBLIC BUILDING EXTERIOR
  • 2019 CIVIC TRUST AWARDS, COMMENDATION
  • 2018 ARCHITIZER, HOSPITALITY - HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS, JURY WINNER
  • 2018 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE FOR HEALTH, HEALTHCARE DESIGN AWARD WINNER
  • 2018 DEZEEN AWARDS, HOSPITALITY BUILDING OF THE YEAR
  • 2017 ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BUILDINGS OF 2017
  • 2017 PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE AWARD
  • 2016 FAST COMPANY INNOVATION BY DESIGN AWARD FINALIST
More relevant works