Maggie’s Taunton
The design for the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton provides a tranquil, restorative sanctuary for people with cancer and their family and friends. Somerset Wildlife Trusts’ research shows that just 20 minutes in nature provides a boost in energy levels and improves physical and mental wellbeing.
The landscape proposal evolved alongside the architectural form, with micro courtyards woven around a cluster of pavilions inspired by the surrounding diverse landscape character of Somerset. Tall slender columns supporting the pavilion verandas are juxtaposed to the stems of the wet woodland trees with the arched roofs echoing dip-slopes across the surrounding Blackdown hills. This series of curated landscapes providing filtered views and visual screening for the internal spaces. These sequential garden ‘havens’ are linked by a meandering walkway, through the building and out into the wider landscape, promoting the therapeutic passage of time. The project secured planning permission for the centre in 2019. However, changes within Taunton Deane Council and decisions over use of the land meant the project was not be able to proceed on the original site.
PROJECT INFO
Client: Maggie’s Cancer Care
Location: Musgrove Hospital, Galmington Playing Fields, Taunton
Date: 2015-2020
Area: 0.21ha
Status: Not realised
CREDITS
Landscape Architect J&L Gibbons
Architect Alison Brookes Architects
Structural and Civil Engineer Webb Yates
M&E Engineer Mott Macdonald
Quantity Surveyor Robert Lombardelli