London-based practice have submitted plans for a new Maggie's Centre in Oldham, a metropolitan area north east of Manchester. Maggie's, a UK charity famed for its cancer care centres, is also well known for commissioning world-renowned architects to design their spaces. This latest proposal will be sited within the grounds of the Royal OldhamHospital, becoming the second centre of its kind in Greater Manchester following Foster + Partners' current project in central Manchester.
It has been reported that dRMM’s Maggie’s Centre will be a "house full of surprises." The building "will be supported on slender columns which allow it to float above a sloping garden with a reflecting pool and a series of ‘open air rooms’ framed by birch and pine trees, while trees will also grow up through the timber building."
Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie's, has said: "We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with the Royal Oldham Hospital and dRMM Architects on this project. The centre, designed by dRMM is built around a sloping garden, offering rooms full of light and garden views creating a calm and uplifting environment for everyone that visits the Centre."
