Maggie Cancer Centers are not hospitals, but support and psychological rehabilitation centers for cancer patients and their loved ones, built and operated with donations from philanthropists. The idea for their creation came from Maggie Keswick Jencks, wife of Charles Jencks - she herself died of cancer in 1995, but the project she initiated continues to grow, supporting hundreds of suffering people.
Traditionally, Maggie's centers are being built next to large hospitals, and the world's leading architects, many of whom were friends with Maggie Jenks, are involved in their design. In this sense, Aberdeen was no exception: the renowned Norwegian bureau readily responded to the proposal to contribute to the development of the network of centers, and for the location of the new facility they chose a field formally related to the hospital's territory, but located at a sufficient distance from it.
Snøhetta interpreted the center as a compact volume of glass and wood, enclosed in an oval shell of snow-white concrete. The latter themselves are compared by the architects to a sea shell, which gives its inhabitants a respite and protection from adversity. However, Snøhetta was very reluctant to design a "thing in itself", as one of the most important tasks of Maggie Cancer Center is to maintain a zest for life and a connection with the outside world in its patients. That is why the shell is not made solid: the architects cut out two large oval openings in it - one forms the entrance area, the second serves to organize a cozy patio.
In contrast to the highly futuristic exterior of the building, its interiors are designed in an extremely restrained manner. The main finishing material here is natural wood, which has given the premises the warmth and comfort that visitors need so much.
In order to fit the new structure into the existing landscape, Snøhetta "supported" the trees growing on the outskirts of the field by planting several new maples next to them, and a beech at the entrance to the center. In the courtyard, in turn, there is a cherry blossom tree - a tree symbolizing spring and life.
