Maggie's Cancer Center Dubai

American University of Sharjah, College of Architecture, art and Design, Sharjah

Project idea

The aim of this project was to create a modern archetypal hybrid that would exist alongside and adjacent to a hospital. These care centers, also known as Maggie's centers, provide emotional support to cancer patients, survivors, and family members. To create a homely environment that would provide a welcoming atmosphere to all cancer patients and all its users under one roof, which was inspired by the form of a wing. As it fosters a compassionate atmosphere to protect, heal, and improve the lives of cancer patients. Another objective of this project was to achieve harmony and fluidity between the public and private areas of the project, as well as to bring nature and architecture together to create a therapeutic atmosphere.

Project description

Along with diagnosis, the Maggie’s Center is designed as a meditation, stress management, and creative treatment center for patients. They are not meant to be an alternative to traditional cancer treatment, but rather to provide a compassionate atmosphere where people may get support, information, and practical guidance. This will be the first center designed for the Middle East. The Maggie’s Center is located between the Oud Metha metro station and Al Rashid Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The project is surrounded by courtyards, sun corners, roof gardens, and activity gardens since the presence of landscape has been proven to impact emotions, spirituality, healing, and rehabilitation. The creation of a welcoming atmosphere adjacent to the metro station was a key challenge for this project. To achieve this, the Maggie’s center's structure was coated in earth tone bricks, followed by wooden louvers and a shading device that serves as the project's fifth façade and filters the skylight. To decrease the total carbon impact, natural air ventilation and the use of vegetation were considered.

Technical information

The Maggie's Center incorporates dynamic external and interior facilities, as well as circulation, administration, service, diagnostic, and spiritual practice rooms. The project is two stories tall, with three exits and a main stair, as well as an elevator for wheelchair-bound patients. It is positioned at an angle that allows for maximum ventilation and wind flow. The sun is exposed on the shorter façades, while the longer facades provide shading. The outer space includes a public seating area enclosed by louvers and an existing Ghaf tree. This space is for guests to use while waiting for their loved ones. The inner courtyard was designed with similar seating and gathering facilities. Views from courtyards and roof gardens were controlled via the roof shading device to protect the safety of the patients. In terms of structure, recycled brick, recycled timber for the louvers on the exterior, the baffled ceiling on the interior, recycled metal, and terracotta roof tiles were used in this project.

Documentation

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