AL_A's garden oasis maggie's centre in southampton granted planning permission

AL_A’s garden oasis maggie’s centre in southampton granted planning permission
all images courtesy of amanda levete architects

with 18 maggie’s centres across the UK, each designed by a renowned architect, amanda levete architects / AL_A‘s proposal has been granted planning permission. based on the grounds of southampton general hospital, the cancer support center is scheduled to open in 2017. the british firm put forward their proposal in 2015 with a design that predominantly aims to form an oasis that seamlessly connents with the forest landscape. the building itself will utilize a minimal structure; featuring movable partitions to frame spaces of varying privacy and enclosure. highlighting the importance in the surroundings, landscape and architecture will work in tandem with landscape designer sarah price charged with the gardens surrounding AL_A’s scheme.

‘maggie’s centres are ambitious with a purpose that can be felt and go to the very heart of architecture. maggie’s approach is about creating a space that is uplifting and that changes the way people think about themselves and interact with others.’ comments amanda levete of AL_A

the reflective glazing is treated with a special coating to make it visible to birds, overcoming the risk of collisions

the 420 square meter centre is set within a shallow bowl to create a sheltered natural enclosure that breaks the topographical uniformity of the car park. densely planted trees and shrubs define the perimeter of the site, providing privacy and protection from the outside world. this copse of trees thins towards the core of the site, where four walls, radiate outwards at right angles to one another – defining four gardens, each with its own character and species.

internally, the building is staged so that privacy increases as you move away from the main focus: the kitchen. four private rooms where visitors can have a quiet moment or a one-to-one conversation is arranged between the ceramic walls of the building. these private spaces become boxes with fixed walls, clad in one way mirrors that reflect the surrounding gardens, resulting in the walls to seemingly disappear into background.