A STUNNING cancer centre has been named as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it is right here in the UK.
Maggie’s in Yorkshire is no ordinary hospital building – in fact, back in 2022 it won the RIBA Yorkshire Award and the RIBA Yorkshire Building of the Year Award.
A stunning cancer centre has been named as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it is right here in the UK[/caption]
Maggie’s in Yorkshire is no ordinary hospital building – it is set in greenery and features light and bright interiors[/caption]
Commended for it’s design, Maggie’s is located in the middle of St James’ University Hospital campus in Leeds and opened back in 2020.
And now it has also just been named as the 19th most beautiful building in the world by Time Out (and the only one in the UK to make the list).
Maggie’s is a charity for cancer patients and the centre in Yorkshire was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, who is known for also designing the London 2012 Olympic cauldron and the revamp of Coal Drop’s Yard in King’s Cross, London.
Time Out commented: “Hospitals tend to be uncomfortable places characterised by too-bright strip lighting and unnervingly squeaky surfaces, but not at this Maggie’s Centre.
“The charity has striven to build personal environments to support cancer sufferers and their families, and this space is comforting and stunning.”
The exterior of the building is made up of whitewashed timber and dark bronze elements, surrounded by greenery and shrubs.
Unlike the clinical greys and whites of usual hospital buildings, Maggie’s feels much warmer with pale wood colours throughout.
As with all Maggie’s Centres, the kitchen is in the middle of the building for both staff and patients along with family members can sit.
The RIBA Journal remarked the building as: “Homely and peaceful, it is a building with real heart and soul.”
The building was the 26th Maggie’s centre to open, but it isn’t the only centre that is beautiful in design.
Other centres have also been designed by notable architects include Norman Foster – the creator of London’s iconic Gherkin – and Ab Rogers – known for designing the Wonderlab n London’s Science Museum.
According to Maggie’s, every centre focuses on ‘healing architecture’ because “great design and architecture can help the people who come to us for support feel better – and help us to give the best possible cancer support”.
Each centre is unique and designed to be “a home from home […] that feel[s] nothing like a hospital”.
The idea to create centre that are unique and homely came from the charity’s co-founder Maggie, who understood that environment and design can have a positive impact on someone dealing with cancer.
And now it has also just been named as the 19th most beautiful building in the UK by Time Out[/caption]
Gardens are equally as important as the design of the centres[/caption]
The charity’s website states that “Maggie talked about the need for ‘thoughtful lighting, a view out to trees, birds and sky‘ and the opportunity ‘to relax and talk away from home cares’”.
And those ideas have influenced each and every Maggie’s centre.
Gardens are equally as important as the design of the centres.
Maggie’s works closely with designers to ensure there is a connection between the outside and inside space.
Time Out’s 24 most beautiful buildings in the world
- Taj Mahal, India
- Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland
- The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Fallingwater, USA
- Ad-Dayr in Petra, Jordan
- Fondation Louis Vuitton, France
- Trinity College Library, Ireland
- Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali
- Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, Iran
- The Twist, Norway
- Sagrada Familia, Spain
- Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh
- Pantheon, Italy
- Palmenhaus at Schonbrunn Palace, Austria
- Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam
- Museum at Eldridge Street, USA
- Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia
- Museum of Old and New Art, Australia
- Maggie’s Centre, St James’s Hospital, UK
- Baháʼí Temple of South America, Chile
- Futuna Chapel, New Zealand
- Komera Leadership Centre, Rwanda
- National Holocaust Monument, Canada
- Enryaku-ji, Japan
Anyone can visit Maggie’s Yorkshire and you don’t need an appointment.
However, it is worth noting that it is still an active cancer centre and therefore, it is important to remain respectful.
Other buildings that featured on Time Out’s list include popular tourist destinations such as the Taj Mahal in India and The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
One of the UK’s most beautiful landmarks also recently announced it will get a £191million upgrade.
The Sun’s Kara Godfrey has also stayed in one of the world’s best hotels with chocolate rooms and helipads.
Anyone can visit Maggie’s Yorkshire and you don’t need an appointment[/caption]
