Task 6 - Maggie Centre - Dundee

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/maggiescentre/

Maggie Centres are buildings across the UK where people who in some way have been effected by cancer, mainly targeted with people with terminal cancer. There seems to be a unofficial competition between leading architects on who can create the most imaginative, and positive design.
My first choice of Maggie Centres I liked was the one in Dundee. I understand that in my previous blog post I took credit away from a building because of its location, but this is brilliant! Firstly, the building, from a rear view ( above) seems to have the original structure of a large bungalow, which because of the fantastic location and views would be enough to suffice most patients. However, the architect, Frank Gehry, went the extra mile to design an eye catching building. The jagged, uneven roof puts a lid on the building, which can be seen from miles around. Furthermore, so visitors of the Centre can fully enjoy the views, Frank designed an unusual looking tower at the front of the building (below) taking everyone step higher.

https://beautifuldundee.wordpress.com/category/craft-design/

I think the use of stained wooden window frames and doors contrast well with the smooth white finished exterior walls, creating an inviting and pleasant atmosphere of the building. The client brief was to 'create a building for people with cancer that was a home, but not a home' (http://www.building.co.uk/to-be-frank/1023708.article). I certainly agree that this building fulfils its client brief, as my first impressions was that it looked homely, but had a twist with the design of the roof. This building has such a positive feel, which also satisfies the client brief because it is a very nice environment for a terminally ill cancer patient, or a person struggling with issues related to cancer, to spend there time. Also from this article, it tells us that the roof is finished in stainless steel, which had been brushed with a wire brush so that it was not shiny and reflected the tranquil colours of the sky. This further goes to show the level of designing this building has gone through, and why it is my favourite out of the Maggie Centres.

References : http://www.building.co.uk/to-be-frank/1023708.article - accessed on 02/05/14