wilkinson eyre envisions maggie's centre as an elevated treehouse

wilkinson eyre envisions maggie’s centre as an elevated treehouse
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

raised on piloti in the grounds of oxford’s churchill hospital, wilkinson eyre architects has completed the 18th maggie’s center with a design concept based on that of a treehouse. floating among the trees, the building’s twisted geometrical form creates brightly lit internal spaces that share a direct and profound connection with the surrounding landscape. built in the grounds of specialist NHS cancer hospitals, maggie’s offers free emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer as well as their family and friends.

floating among the trees, the building’s twisted geometrical form creates brightly lit internal spaces
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

a series of three-dimensional planes fragment, fold and wrap into each other, while external terraces and steps positioned to allow visitors the the opportunity to explore the structure’s environment. in order to minimize disruption to the region’s wildlife, the building has been constructed from timber with prefabricated crossply laminated panels, erected on glulam columns, fixed to concealed screw piles below the ground.

the design shares a direct and profound connection with the natural landscape
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

the internal plan is composed of three wings emanating from a central volume, allowing separate areas for information, emotional support and relaxation. all areas are linked to the welcoming heart of the plan which has a kitchen, dining table and stove. the domestically scaled rooms are friendly and inviting, but also offer quiet places to retreat and reflect. clerestory glazing connects partition walls to the ceiling, giving the feeling of an oversailing roof canopy and bringing natural light inside the building.

external terraces and steps are positioned to allow visitors the the opportunity to explore to surroundings
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

‘our design for maggie’s oxford encapsulates the philosophy and principles on which the maggie’s centres are based‘, explains chris wilkinson, founding director of wilkinson eyre architects. ‘the tree house concept maximizes the relationship between the internal space and the external landscape offering discreet spaces for relaxation, information and therapy. it provides a sympathetic and caring retreat, in tune with its surroundings. it is not like a house or a clinic but has a special identity that is a maggie’s centre’.

the internal plan is composed of three wings emanating from a central volume
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

photos by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

the structure is supported on angled timber piloti
photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

photo by ben bisek / image © wilkinson eyre architects

the latest maggie’s centre, positioned in the grounds of oxford’s churchill hospital
image © julian abrams

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project info:

project title: maggie’s oxford (patricia thompson building)
architects: wilkinson eyre architects
location: oxford, united kingdom
design team: chris wilkinson (director), andrew walsh (associate)
client: maggie’s
project start: 2006
start on site: october 2013
completion: june 2014
gross internal floor area: 225 sqm
structural engineers: alan baxter associates
m&e consultant: kj tait engineers
quantity surveyor: turner & townsend
landscape architect: touchstone collaborations with babylon plants and design
main contractor: jacksons building contractors
annual co2 emissions: 18.5kg/m2