We generally accept that our physical surroundings impact our moods and feelings, but the question as to what effect they have on our physical health is less well-explored. It is commonly accepted that body and mind are connected, and that healing of either often involves both. This holistic approach is now changing the landscape of healthcare, pioneered by the Maggie’s Centres in the UK, which “integrate professional help with a community of support in thoughtfully designed centres, a combination that is proving highly effective in alleviating the emotional distress and practical difficulties that cancer brings.”
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
This approach has inspired other countries to build similar centres and the Centre for Cancer and Recovery in Copenhagen, designed by Nord Architects, is an example of this. The centre is initiated and funded by the local government in Copenhagen but run by the Cancer Research on a day-to-day basis. It provides cancer patients much needed support and care on the road to full recovery and, since opening, has been overwhelmingly well received by the users.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
Architecturally the building stands out in the streetscape and, with its metal-clad facades and spiky roof, resembles ice-covered mountains – an odd reference in the pancake-flat urban context of Copenhagen. My first thought was that the architects might might be trying to re-interpret the spires and towers that are so significant to this city. Morten Gregersen partner of Nord Architects explains, however, that the architectural concept was to create a prominent building that would demand a presence, and as such an architecture that actively contributes to creating awareness of cancer. It was never the intention of this building to blend into the context: both client and architect felt it appropriate to create an iconic and sculptural building. And there is no doubt that in this respect they have succeeded.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
Morten Gregersen further explains the intriguing roofscape as an interpretation of homeliness – a key word throughout the design process. The roof mimics a collection of smaller pitched roofs, or a bundle of smaller homes collected into one. This serves as a way to break up the large volume, thus creating the illusion of smaller more manageable scales associated with the comfort and safety of home.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
Entry to the building marks a stark contrast to its intriguing exterior. Save for a few rooms, the interior is not particularly striking, different or titillating architecturally. The overall concept, however, with the entire building organised around a central courtyard, is strong. Not only does this courtyard radiate a sort of inner warmth, achieved by the sauna-like timber cladding,it also ensures that natural light floods the interiors while offering a constant point of orientation. The internal courtyard is an obvious reference to the traditional abbey structure and, in this context, the associations with inner reflection and thoughtfulness seem appropriate and successfully steer clear of the danger of being a banal reference.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
The two rooms that are the most architecturally successful are the reception/lounge-area and the gym. Entering the building, the reception immediately gives you the impression that you are entering a different type of healthcare facility. This is an open room – the central hub of the building. There is no small enclosed reception desk but, rather, people freely move about in this space while a designated meet and greet volunteer or member of staff ensures that you are welcomed. The furniture is exclusively Danish classics but has been tested by patients to guarantee their comfort. The fact that it looks stylish and not at all like standard hospital furniture also adds to the overall non-institutional atmosphere.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
Sitting in this reception/lounge one is able to follow people’s movements through the entire building. Through the courtyard there is an excellent view to the circulation on the first floor, giving the feeling of being part of a community. Furthermore, the only staircase to the upper level dominates this room, and adds to its appearance as a central hub. One feels, in fact, that the architect has missed a potential opportunity here to have made more of this staircase.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
The gym is unconventionally situated on the first floor. Morten Gregersen explains that, although this proposed major structural challenges, it was an important feature that both client and architect felt important. When people first start to come to the centre, some are unable to walk up the stairs. As they begin to heal, therefore, the staircase to the gym offers a very visible and encouraging measure of improvement.
Centre for Cancer and Recovery
The gym is architecturally interesting: due to the relatively large size of this room its ceiling incorporates the unusual roofscape, creating a different spatial experience – one that you would not expect from a publicly funded healthcare facility. Although the building has a few aesthetic blunders, it succeeds in showing us that healthcare facilities can offer exciting spatial and architectural experiences without blowing the budget. Since most research points towards these elements having a positive impact on users, this can only be a good thing.
by Runa Mathiesson