Task 6 - Maggies Centres in general

Having read the BMJ article Inspiration: Maggies Centres, Edwin Heathcote, 23-30th dec 2006, I now have an understanding of the importance of these centres and what they really mean.
Its a very cruel, and barbaric idea to create a place to die in, what ever the reason, especially something as traumatic as terminal cancer. It takes a great deal of acceptance to come to terms with death, and of course I'm not speaking from experience, but it must be hard to continue with everyday life, as the little things start to become less and less important to you. This is were Maggies Centres really help. It needed someone like Maggie Keswick Jencks to come up with such an idea. As mentioned in the article, architecture cant cure cancer, but it can help in keeping you calm, relaxed, and most importantly happy.
The design of a building, as discussed in my blog post 'Phenomenology', can change your mood based on how you feel in and around it. All Maggies centres are designed with unique, vibrant shapes, colours and symbolism. These produce a positive atmosphere, which patients will feel when entering the centre. This is a good climate to come to terms with your illness, and to think positive about the future. This is very important for both the patients, and there families.

http://openbuildings.com/blog/2011/08/architecture-of-hope-maggies-centres

Each architect puts a part of themselves into each of there centres. For example, Zaha Hadid took a strong, forward approach in the design of her centre, with the reasoning that 'why should spaces built to contain some of our more traumatic moments always be modest and domestic?' This is a fair point, and she successfully designed a building that reflected this mind process, as shown in the above photo

, and will be felt by the patients that use the centre. Another example is the Dundee Centre, which takes nearly the opposite approach, in creating a very tranquil place to rest, over beautiful scenery in a domestic looking property. Again, due to the careful design, this intention will be felt by the patients, and will be reflected in how the patients feel. this is the target for all the architects who create a Maggies Centre.

http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/2012_riba_award_winners_announced

These buildings aren't just to increase the positive mood of the patients, but also raise awareness throughout the community and the public. Its hard to notice an average domestic building in the concrete jungle we live in today, and it takes fine, unique ideas to create buildings that stand out, which the Maggies Centres do. because of this, members of the public take an interest in the building, and therefore the charity, and this is a form of fundraising. It also raises awareness among the population and further advertises the scheme. Finally, a comparison must be made between these maggies centres, and a very basic looking building offering similar support. Although its a big pill to swallow, members of the public don't want to pass a dull looking building, with the dull thought that people venture there to die. This sort of approach wont invite people support the cause. instead, if the funding is there, more attractive places give the public a more positive opinion of the idea, and make the saddening truth a more pleasant thought.

References: BMJ, inspiration: Maggies Centres, Edwin Heathcote, 23rd-30th Dec, 2006