Maggie’s centre plans for Granite City unveiled

Ambitious plans for a new Maggie’s cancer caring centre in Scotland have been unveiled for the first time.

The designs for Maggie’s Aberdeen have been submitted to Aberdeen City Council to seek permission to start building the centre at the Foresterhill site of the city’s Royal Infirmary.

The initial image of the centre has been designed by Oslo-based architectural firm Snohetta, continuing the charity’s legacy of creating unusual and engaging buildings to provide support for cancer patients and their families.

The building has been conceived as a pavilion in a parkland setting. A soft exterior envelops the whole of the centre, while the interior building will be more angular in design but will be constructed from soft timber materials.

The centre will sit within a grass field, with an existing line of trees retained and strengthened by new maple trees.

To mark the entrance, a group of beech trees will also be planted.

A courtyard garden will be at the heart of the centre and will form a secluded outdoor space.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive, said: “The design for Maggie’s Aberdeen is really striking and encapsulates the Maggie’s brief in providing a space that is homely and full of warmth, while sparking curiosity and imagination from its visitors.

“This is a building that will first and foremost provide the ideal environment for people facing cancer in the region to gain support, while also greatly contributing to architecture within the region.”

Richard Carey, NHS Grampian chief executive, said: “This is a centre that will be greatly utilised by all in the region affected by cancer and it’s great to take a step closer to that reality.”