New building - response to contextThe new facility has been formed by renovating a grade II listed Victorian lodge, next to the river Chelt, and adding a large new single storey extension.The new building sits between the lodge and the river, creating a variety of intimate external spaces: informal entrance approach, a ‘secret garden’ at the front and a terrace with a view over the river. Glass links between the lodge and the extension and connecting the free- standing ‘pods’ to the main building allow axial views to the outside.
Domestic intimacyThe new centre provides a free drop-in service for cancer sufferers and their families, offering information, emotional and psychological support both individually and in groups, courses and stress reducing strategies.The extension building gathers together spaces of differing scale: larger, more formal - kitchen, dining room, and snug; and the more intimate – pods, alcoves and inglenook.Thanks to openable timber screens, internal spaces can be sub-divided and enclosed to adapt to the needs of groups and individuals. The snug behind the inglenook can be enclosed to create a room for tai chi.Maggie’s Cheltenham, with its combination of openness and intimacy, communal and private contemplative spaces, is intended to provide an inspiring and welcoming place for all of its visitors.