Designed by Polish-American architect, artist, professor and set designer Daniel Libeskind's Studio Libeskind in collaboration with Magma Architecture, the latest addition to the Maggie's Centre network, Maggie's Royal Free showcases the role thoughtful architecture plays in creating healing spaces. This centre at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, United Kingdom is a sanctuary for cancer patients and their families. It embodies the core philosophy of Maggie's Centres – to provide a welcoming, non-clinical environment that fosters community, dignity and emotional well-being.

The architectural narrative of Maggie's Royal Free is a deliberately gentle counterpoint to the imposing brutalist architecture of the Royal Free Hospital. The exterior, clad in weathered timber panels, radiates warmth and approachability while the curves of the building create a harmonious contrast with the angularity of the hospital, drawing visitors into a space designed for solace and support.

The stunning example of timber architecture expands gracefully as it rises. Double and triple-height glazing at the entrance allows natural light to flood the interiors, establishing an immediate connection with the surrounding landscape. An elevated garden on the roof level, operable skylights and a strategically placed Ripple Wall inspired by serpentine walls as a part of the landscape design further enhance the connection with nature, providing a serene and private enclosure for visitors.

The interior design of Maggie's Royal Free prioritises fluidity and openness. Spaces seamlessly flow from one area to the next, offering a range of environments to meet different needs. The ground floor, often considered the heart of a Maggie's Centre, features the communal kitchen, library and staff workspaces. The kitchen, strategically placed and visually prominent, acts as a focal point, embodying the welcoming spirit of all Maggie's Centres. The bespoke kitchen table, designed by Libeskind and crafted by Temper Studio, is a symbolic centrepiece. Shaped like a pebble with solid oak timber legs and finished with a white Corian top, its furniture design reflects the curves it is surrounded by and serves as a gathering place for visitors.

The library, clad in timber to create a 'living room' ambience, offers a space for reading, individual or group meetings and art. An environmentally friendly bio-ethanol hearth becomes a focal point, bringing warmth to the space. It is designed to be more than just an information hub with books and leaflets on cancer-related topics. It is crafted to provide respite for quiet contemplation.

The exterior landscaping by Martha Schwartz Partners extends the healing environment beyond the building and helps create a holistic built environment. The garden, inspired by nearby Hampstead Heath, uses trees from existing woodlands to create an intimate and soothing outdoor space. The Ripple Wall, echoing the building's curves, defines the perimeter and offers alcoves for private moments. The garden extends to the top of the building where the rooftop garden is adorned with medicinal herbs, becoming yet another peaceful retreat.

Martha Schwartz of Martha Schwartz Partners says, “The collaboration between the passionate staff at Maggie’s and the team at Studio Libeskind has been inspiring. What truly motivated us as designers was the opportunity to create a visceral and physical connection between the built and natural realms. The project represents more than just making a pretty space. Acknowledging the landscape as a fundamental component directly tied to human health and providing access to green space in an environment that seeks to soothe and nurture, is visionary. We could not be prouder of our involvement in this project and its contribution to the community.”

The entire landscape design is structured to enhance biodiversity. It features flowering trees, wildflower meadow perennials and grasses to attract birds, pollinators and invertebrates. It also uses stormwater strategies to passively and efficiently move water along the site.

Art plays a significant role in Maggie's Centres, providing a source of distraction and inspiration alike. The centre displays work by artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Michael Kidner, Katie Schwab, Andy Goldsworthy OBE and Petra Blaisse. The inclusion of art aims to uplift spirits and encourage contemplation.

Maggie's Royal Free is an exemplification of how thoughtful and sensitive healthcare architecture can create healing environments. Its sinuous curves, warm timber cladding and thoughtful interior design create an environment that goes beyond the clinical setting, offering a home away from home for those navigating the challenges of cancer. True to the spirit of the Maggie's Centre philosophy, this building shows how design can profoundly impact the human experience in times of vulnerability.

Project Details

Name: Maggie's Centre at the Royal Free
Location: London, United Kingdom
Completion: 2024
Architects: Studio Libeskind
Associate Architects: Magma Architecture
Landscape Architect: Martha Schwartz Partners
General Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
Structural Engineer: Expedition
Mechanical Engineer & Electrical Engineer: Buro Happold
Fire Consultant: Buro Happold
Furniture Procurement Consultant: Coexistence
Groundworks: Realtime
Steelwork: William Hare
Timber Cladding: Zublin
Windows & Doors: OAG
Mechanical & Electrical: Lowe & Oliver
Staircases: Gascoyne & Beever
Drylining: Middlesex
Internal joinery: Blou
Wintergarden: Blou
Soft landscaping: Willerby
Lift: Orona
Metal capping: AWSI
Scaffolding: PHD
General labour: Clipfine
Roofing: Knight Asphalt