Building and Architect Information: Maggie's Dundee
Where is the centre?
Maggie's Dundee is located in front of Ward 32 at Ninewells Hospital. It commands stunning views down the Tay Estuary and across to North Fife.
About the architect
Unlike the conversions of Maggie's Glasgow and Edinburgh this is the first new-build Maggie's Centre, designed by Frank Gehry. Frank is a Los Angeles based architect, known widely for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. He was a close friend of Maggie's and this project has been close to his heart.
The signature of Frank Gehry's designs are their curving walls and unusual roofing. Frank began the process of the design by working with us to arrange the building blocks of the rooms in a suitable layout. Once this was agreed he then began designing the building around them. Frank makes approximately sixty models for each of his buildings until he is happy with the design.
About the design
For Maggie's Dundee Frank was inspired by the design of historic simple Highland dwellings known as Brochs. He took a cylindrical form from them as a perfect space for our library and a small sitting room above it. Except for this small sitting room, the rest of the building is on one level with an open-plan kitchen and dining area, a large sitting room, and smaller rooms for one-to-one sessions.
Externally, the roof is enveloped in folded metal; the inspiration of the folds of a dutch hat worn by a girl in a Vermeer painting. There is a walkway leading off from the kitchen area which goes out on stilts above the side of the valley so visitors can go out and take in the view.
About the environment
The environmental surroundings of a Maggie's Centre are a contributing factor to its success and contrast with those usually found in the immediate vicinity of a hospital. With this in mind the Maggie's Centre at Dundee features a garden by renowned landscape designer Arabella Lenox-Boyd.
The design is the first of its kind for Maggie’s, and uses dramatic, stepped earthworks around a new thirty-three metre diameter labyrinth which visually links the hospital to the Maggie’s Centre. This new landscape acts as an amphitheatre-like place for contemplation, with the aim that centre visitors, children and families can find both peace and amusement walking through its complex curves and paths.
A word from Frank Gehry
I think it's an inviting building, I think people will want to come inside and spend time there, and I really hope that in some small way it might contribute to a sense of rejuvenated vigour for moving forward and living life.