Steven Holl Architects has completed a new health centre in the heart of London, which has been opened to the public. Designed in collaboration with UK-based firm jmarchitects, the three-storey building - also described as an "urban townhouse" - provides free practical and emotional support for people living with cancer and their family and friends.

Filled with full open space and light, the studio creates a deep contrast between exterior and interior in terms of materiality, while the building creates a holistic atmosphere in both spaces. The building - called The Maggie's Centre Barts - allows natural light to wash over the floors and walls, ever changing through the natural daylight pattern of the seasons.

Located in the center of London, the site is adjacent to the large courtyard of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Founded in Smithfield in the 12th century, the hospital is the oldest in London and was founded at the same time as the St. Bartholomew the Great Church in 1123. 

Rahere founded the church and hospital "for the restoration of poor men." The new Maggie’s Barts replaces a pragmatic 1960s brick structure adjacent to a 17th century stone structure by James Gibbs, holding the "Great Hall" and the famous Hogarth staircase.

The studio uses many layers of history to characterize this unique site, connecting deeply to the Medieval culture of London. Envisioned as "vessel within a vessel", the structure is made from a branching concrete frame, the inner layer is wrapped by bamboo and the outer layer is coated by matte white glass. 

The facade of the Centre features colored glass fragments that are organized in horizontal bands like a musical staff, recalling "neume notation" of Medieval music of the 13th century. The architects use this reference from a word originating from the Greek pneuma, which means "vital force."

"It suggests a 'breath of life' that fills oneself with inspiration like a stream of air, the blowing of the wind," said the studio. 

The architects use a new type of polychrome insulating glass that is developed especially for the Centre by Steven Holl Architects in close collaboration with glass manufacturer Okalux.

"I believe drawing is a form of thought and music is a vital life force. At Maggie's Barts, these two are united to yield the space and light of a tiny work of architecture with large joyful hopes," said Steven Holl.

"It is with great pride that we can announce the opening of Maggie’s Barts. The Centre helps us to extend Maggie’s vital practical and emotional support to more people across the capital," said Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive.

"Steven Holl’s design is a perfect blend of old and new and sits beautifully next to the historical hospital site. With its colored glass and peaceful roof garden, designed by Darren Hawkes, I am sure the Centre will provide a safe haven for people living with cancer and their family and friends across the East of London," she added.

The glass facade geometry follows the geometry of the main interior stair along the north facade, while lifting up with clear glass facing the main square. Inside, the open curved staircase is integral to the concrete frame with open spaces vertically lined in bamboo. There is a second entry on the west opening to the extended garden of the adjacent church. The building tops out in a public roof garden open to a large room for yoga, Tai Chi, meetings etc. The garden will be open to patients, staff and the public and will be maintained by Maggie’s. 

The interior character of this building is shaped by colored light washing the floors and walls, changing by the time of day and season. Interior lighting is organized to allow the colored lenses together with the translucent white glass of the facade to present a new, joyful, glowing presence on this corner of the great square of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Maggie's relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres across London and the UK and to develop its unique, high quality program of support.

Steven Holl Architects first unveiled plans for the Maggie's Centre Barts in 2012. After approved by The City of London Planning and Transportation Committee in 2014, the project started construction in 2015. 

The studio recently completed a multi-purposed Lewis Arts Complex at Princeton University. Steven Holl Architects is currently working on the new Geneva Operational Center, in collaboration with Swiss firm Rüssli Architekten. Steven Holl Architects, led by Steven Holl, is a 44-person architecture and urban design office founded in 1977, and working globally as one office from two locations, New York City and Beijing.

All images © Iwan Baan

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