health
March 5, 2026
‘A space of their own’: how cancer centers designed by top architects can offer hope
Exhibition at the V&A Dundee celebrates Maggie’s Centres created by Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers, Norman Foster and others
TL;DR
- Maggie Keswick Jencks conceived of cancer support centers to provide patients with 'a space of their own' that retains 'the joy of living'.
- The first Maggie's Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, and there are now over 30 centers across the UK and internationally.
- These centers are designed by renowned architects, including Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers, and Norman Foster, with a brief emphasizing welcome, color, joy, and proximity to nature.
- An exhibition at V&A Dundee showcases the diverse architectural interpretations of Maggie's Centres, featuring scale models and user testimonials.
- Key design elements mentioned include inviting facades, homely designs, spaces that hover off the ground, communal kitchen tables, and varied seating options.
- The architecture is seen as a 'statement of care' that facilitates emotional sharing and provides hope during difficult times.
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