Maggie’s Cancer Care Center recently opened its Hong Kong chapter, whose premises are designed by world renowned architect, Frank Gehry.
Maggie’s Centre provides cancer support, cancer care and palliative care for people in need.
The centre’s pavilions were designed to “encourage movement between the interior and the landscape”—its surrounding gardens were conceptualized by landscape architect Lily Jencks, who is the daughter of Maggie and Charles Jencks, the founders of the organization.
Frank Gehry said: “The building has feelings which I hope engender community activity, and that it’s comfortable for the patients to be there. It’s respectful of Chinese architecture and motifs. I hope it’s not copying anything Chinese or architectural, but I hope it’s very respectful of them.”
“I was going through the loss of a daughter while I was designing the centre. I think you sort of suck it up and hope to make something that is soothing and respectful and hopeful. There's always hope, it's not a dead end.”
The Hong Kong chapter is the charity’s first centre outside of the UK, and it is also Gehry’s second building for the organization—the architect has previously designed Maggie’s Dundee in Scotland.
[via e-architect]