Maggie's Centre
Thomas Heatherwick has revealed his plans to build a Maggie's cancer-care centre in Yorkshire, England, designed to look like a group of giant pot plants.
The London-based designer has applied for planning permission to build the new Maggie's Centre in the grounds of St James's University Hospital in Leeds, where it will function as a drop-in centre for anyone affected by cancer.
Described as "a collection of stepped planter elements", his design comprises a series of curved structures that each feature rooftops covered in plants and flowers.
The aim is to take advantage of the therapeutic effect of plants, creating a welcoming facility that stands in contrast to the more sterile environment of the adjacent hospital.
A mixture of private and communal meeting spaces will be framed by the structures.
Thomas Heatherwick said the centre will "create a positive environment which will help calm minds and foster a sense of wellbeing".
"Instead of taking away the open space, we wanted to make a whole building out of a garden," said Heatherwick. "The design developed as a collection of large planters defining the building by enclosing a series of shared and private spaces between them."