Maggie’s has proudly announced that the Glasgow architects of NORD have agreed to design the Maggie’s Centre in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. The principle funder from Walk the Walk is expecting a “beautiful, unique and ground breaking building” from the award winning practice who was established in 2002 and has become known for their distinctive projects that often draw inspiration from social and cultural issues. This news comes shortly after Norman Foster and Steven Holl were announced as the next architects of two new Maggie’s Centers in south Manchester at the Christie Hospital and in London at St. Barts.
Director of NORD, Alan Pert said: “This is a fantastic way to celebrate 10 years of NORD and we look forward to working with the amazing team behind this network of centres. At a recent visit to the Maggies London Headquarters we came across a collection of architectural models of the various centres built over the years including Richard Murphy’s first one from 1996. It is an incredible achievement that so many of these buildings have been realized and to contribute to this vision is a huge privilege.”
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The site of the new centre is set within mature woodland and was previously occupied by the Royal Scottish National Hospital with seventy acres of stunning mixed tree woodland and an ornamental loch. The extensive pathways and woodland surrounding the site are maintained by Forestry Commission Scotland and visitors to the centre will be able to enjoy direct access to this amazing amenity. The centre will be a short walk form the new £300M Forth Valley Royal Hospital designed by Keppie, and minutes from the varied amenities of Larbert and Stenhousemuir.
The Maggie’s building will have opportunities to exploit the natural surroundings rather than the need to construct a new type of landscape for the building. NORD are looking to position the building next to the loch but the level changes across the site mean the building will also have a strong vertical presence and views to the Ochil Hills and the Forth Valley.
Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee said: “We are delighted to announce Nord as architects for Maggie’s Forth Valley centre. They are an inspirational and contemporary company who draw their influences from social and cultural issues making them, in our eyes, the perfect fit for Maggie’s.”
“Their selection has been a cause for great excitement and I can’t wait to see the plans for Forth Valley and eventually to welcome another thought provoking, warm and welcoming Maggie’s centre into the world.”
Photograph Copyright jamesnicoll and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
