Maggie’s Cheltenham was the seventh Maggie’s Centre to open and the second in England. The former President of RIBA, Sir Richard MacCormac, has created a sensitive design, which restores, renovates and extends a Grade ll listed Victorian lodge adjacent to the River Cheltenham and a stone’s throw from the NHS Cancer Treatment Centre at Cheltenham General Hospital.

The extension is clad and lined in locally sourced hardwood and sits under a large, winged roof that appears to float above the walls. Two cylindrical ‘refuges’ project into the specially designed garden areas, providing secluded and private spaces.

Maggie's Cheltenham is situated a five minute walk from the main hospital and provides a  series of reassuring spaces. It offers a domestic context, distinct from the institutionalised character of the hospital.

You enter Maggie's Cheltenham through an enclosed and highly landscaped garden with several discrete sitting areas. The ground floor rooms offer private one-to-one spaces whereas the kitchen in the new extension aims to facilitate communal interaction.  The large table, inglenook and stove, comfortable seating, bookcases and fresh flowers make it feel homely and comforting. 

The intention of the design was that the building, with its combination of openness and intimacy can provide a sanctuary away from the busy hospital which will complement the emotional and psychological support provided by the Maggie's Cheltenham staff.

Sir Richard MacCormac & MJP Architects

Sir Richard MacCormac is one of the UK's most distinguished architects and chairman of the internationally renowned practice MJP Architects, formerly MacCormac Jamieson and Pritchard Architects.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Royal Academicia, Sir Richard has served two terms as a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission and has been a past commissioner for English Heritage.  He served as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1991 to 1993 and is chairman of the Royal Academy Forum.  He was chairman of the Royal Academy Architecture Committee from 1998 to 2008.

In 1994, he was awarded a CBE and received a knighthood in 2001.  Sir Richard has taught and lectured widely, and published many articles on urban design and architectural theory.  He is regularly invited to be an assessor of architectural competitions and design awards. 

Dr Christine Facer Hoffman has previously had a successful career in medical science and now runs a dynamic landscape design practice specialising in contemporary design.  Her garden design at Maggie's Cheltenham has created 'a metaphorical landscape of hope designed to calm, soothe and inspire with the empowering beauty of nature'.

With the knowledge that stimulating landscapes create a healing environment, Maggie’s Cheltenham design is inspired by the mathematically-derived sigmoid curve, a tilted S-shape motif, which is a visual metaphor for life and living, aspects so relevant to the centre.

The courtyard garden adjacent to the centre provides both a restful and energising place to engage the senses. 

For more information about the design of the building, the architect and the garden download our Maggie's Cheltenham information PDF's.