First Impressions: Koolhaas' Gartnavel Maggie’s Centre

Glasgow’s Gartnavel Maggie’s Centre is Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’ first building in the UK and is the latest in the string of personalised cancer care units first established in Edinburgh in 1996.  

The building is located beside Glasgow’s gloomy Gartnavel, perched on the edge of a small, wooded hilltop that offers generous views over the city. This is one of the most subtle and subdued buildings Koolhaas, working with his Rotterdam-based Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), has produced to date.

This centre fits well into its surrounding environment; the light filtering in through the trees, along with the modern non-clinical appearance really gives the sense of relaxation and tranquillity, Matthew Ashley

Matthew Ashley’s verdict

I have always understood and loved the idea of Maggie’s Centres; the way that they create a peaceful and subtle environment for cancer patients is remarkable. This Maggie’s Centre is no different to the rest - straight away I could see why they are remarked and praised.

This centre fits well into its surrounding environment; the light filtering in through the trees, along with the modern non-clinical appearance really gives the sense of relaxation and tranquillity.

The large panes of glass allow the patients to feel they have the freedom to move in and out of the space, this all helps the rehabilitation process and makes their time in the centre as comfortable as possible.

In conclusion I believe the Maggie’s Centres are doing a fantastic job, the building is a reflection of the amazing work that goes on inside.

Adrian Cohen’s verdict

There is a fine line for architects between showing off their famous styles with no purpose and creating a building for a purpose; in the case of the Maggie’s Centre, the architects involved have not crossed this line, Adrian Cohen

Once again a Maggie’s Centre fulfils its aims through creating a comforting environment alternative to the norm in such an elegant way. Rem Koolhaas and Ellen van Loon have perfectly captured the environment through quite traditional means.

Large glazed windows fill walls of the ring of buildings surrounded by nature at its finest. The light is allowed to smoothly float in capturing the tranquil surroundings, effectively calming ones soul.

A simple approach appears to be taken as, although these are works of art, they stand firm on their attempt to reach out to and provide an environment of rehabilitation for patients.

There is a fine line for architects between showing off their famous styles with no purpose and creating a building for a purpose; in the case of the Maggie’s Centre, the architects involved have not crossed this line.

Matthew Ashley and Adrian Cohen are architecture students at Nottingham Trent University.