The center is located on the territory of the city hospital; the surrounding trees separate the structure from its buildings. The volume is raised above the ground due to the uneven terrain of the site. Therefore, a bridge leads to the main entrance, and balconies were arranged on the other three sides.
Outside, the building is faced with green glazed tiles, and the windows, with their regular arrangement, emphasize the irregular, oval shape of the facades. As a result, the center resembles the house of a fairytale hero, but not a folk tale, but an author's, perhaps even postmodern: the project is obviously ironic. But it attracts attention and differs in its cheerful appearance from an ordinary hospital, therefore it fully fulfills its function.
The light and airy interiors were designed by Paul Smith, who lives and works in Nottingham. He is engaged not only in fashion, but also in the design of furniture and household items, so this task was not unusual for him. He also decorated the walls of the center with photographs taken during his travels. In addition, to support the Maggie Centers, Smith designed two porcelain mugs, Cat at Home and Dog at Home, with 20% of the proceeds going to the Centers.
At Maggie's centers, cancer patients and their relatives can receive psychological assistance or medical advice, attend a gymnastics group, or simply have tea in a comfortable, not at all hospital environment. Centers are being built at major hospitals in parts of the UK with high rates of cancer. They are funded by a charitable foundation created by Charles Jenks in memory of his wife Maggie Kezwick-Jenks, who died of cancer: the idea of such centers belongs to her.
The Nottingham Center is the ninth such institution in the country; the first such center opened 15 years ago. Thanks to the friendship of Maggie and Charles Jenks with many prominent architects, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas and other prominent masters are engaged in projects of cancer centers.
N. F.
