About Maggie's

Environment & Design

Maggie's foundations are based in a belief in the importance of design and architecture

Maggie Keswick Jencks studied architecture at the Architectural Association where she met her husband Charles Jencks. Maggie developed a great love of landscape design. She designed a range of gardens in Scotland, London and the US and was in great demand internationally as a lecturer, particularly to talk about her great love of Chinese landscape.

The creative partnership between Maggie and Charles further heightened their appreciation and profound belief that environment does impact on social wellbeing. This is why the look and feel of a Maggie’s Centre complements the support that is offered.

Maggie's Edinburgh

Opened in 1996, the first Maggie’s Centre was a converted grey-stone stable block previously used as a store for the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Richard Murphy transformed the stables into a fully functional Centre tailored to the needs of its visitors, which through maximizing windows allowed light to flood in. Richard Murphy won a RIBA Department of Health Architecture Award in 1997 for the building. Emma Keswick, a relative of Maggie’s, landscaped the gardens.

Maggie's Glasgow

David Page from architects, Page and Park, converted the red brick Gatehouse at the Beatson Oncology Centre at the Western Infirmary to create Maggie’s Glasgow, which opened in 2002. Forming part of the Kelvingrove complex, the conversion maintained the original façade and as much of the interior as possible, creating a welcoming and contemporary house which can adapt to the needs of people who visit it to use aspects of Maggie’s support programme. Most rooms look out onto the gardens, landscaped by Charles Jencks containing a sculpture he created called DNA.

Maggie's Dundee

Opened in 2003, Maggie’s Dundee was the UK’s first building and gardens by the internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry. As a good friend of Maggie's, Frank Gehry went through numerous revisions before arriving at the final remarkable design, that best suited Maggie’s vision. The Centre has Gehry’s signature curving walls and an undulating roof, and was pictured in a range of limited edition Royal Mail postage stamps of iconic UK buildings. The design was awarded building of the year by the Royal Fine Art Commission in 2004.

At the opening Frank said “I hope the architecture won't override the purpose of the building, but complement it and take it to a higher plane of comfort and beauty.”

Maggie's Highlands

Built in 2004 and opened to the public in January 2005, Maggie’s Highlands Centre was designed by Page and Park in the grounds of the Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. Charles Jencks and Gross Max landscaped the garden which extends the purpose of the building in providing an uplifting environment, often contrasting with hospital surroundings. The unique structure was nominated for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2006 and has won the RICS Scotland Community Benefit Award 2006.

Maggie's Fife

Opened in November 2006, Maggie’s Fife was designed by Zaha Hadid; her first UK-based building.  Always controversial, Zaha has created a sculptural, sparkling black exterior with sharp angles contrasting with a light-filled interior of welcoming curves. The Fife Centre supports the 1,700 Fife-based residents diagnosed with cancer every year, their family and friends who care for them.

Zaha Hadid said of her design: “It’s a great honour to create a building that will enhance the experience of people visiting the Maggie’s Centre in Fife. I knew Maggie and we shared an understanding of how significantly environments can help enhance personal wellbeing.  I feel confident that Maggie would be heartened to see how her vision has come to fruition.”

Maggie's London

Designed by Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners, Maggie's London will open in Spring 2008.  Maggie's London is based at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith.

"Architecture and art play a vital role in Maggie's Centres.  I hope to create something that is much more than a support Centre, more homely, more welcoming, more comfortable, more thought provoking and more uplifting"
Richard Rogers, Architect

Dan Pearson is designing the internal courtyard and external landscape for the Centre.  Dan's landscape design will create an oasis of calm in and around the Centre.