Designing a healing and restorative facility like a Maggie centre is an honour for any architect. Many architects have designed Maggie centres before such as Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas and many more, it was inevitable to do research on what was designed before. Seeing this project as a snapshot in the long list of initiatives to support truly restorative design, one piece to contribute to the honourable path of creating healthy and healing environments.Applying UX Principles to the design process and understanding the human from a biological and neuroscience perspective. Finding a way to design a kind of “brain healthy spaces”. 

Who am I as a user of this space, what are my physical, physiological, psychological and social needs and peel down the structure to moments.Through an understanding of what the (medical) journey could be, whatever the outcome would be. The challenge Ark Shelter was to make a space that allows for all these different emotional touchpoints in this journey for the patients as well as their loved ones. The concept was around the idea of “a warm nest”, a space to come together, a welcoming space. 

A soft ramp will guide you into the Centre, a front door is set back from the facade to protect from wind, provide a safe entrance and remove the hospital look and feel. The building throughout can breath and is penetrated by nature and views. Almost every seat has direct visual access to the outside. The windows on the top will ensure there is always gradual light throughout the building yet providing privacy.

Different spaces will allow for different individuals, different stages, and different group configurations to all be comfortable.There is a warm fireplace to bring people together, to bring warmth and comfort. Flexible seating arrangements for comfortable gatherings from single to groups of 8 can easily fit in this space. The dining room is the heart of the house. The place with the most light, allowing for a space to gather for introverts as well as extroverts, sun and shade, view outside, or into the comfortable courtyard. 

Directly accessible from the entrance there is an office space, for administrative tasks as well as formal matters that need to be taken care of by the volunteers. Therapy room I is wheelchair accessible, all therapy rooms are welcoming, the same light wood as used in the rest of the building to give it a warm and homely feel. Non-traditional therapy room setup following the same design language as the library, living room and office. Making it less clinical and more approachable. 

The group therapy room is open and adjustable, from group sessions on the floor to more formal settings, this room can be used entirely based upon the required setting. In all terms, showered with light, this room has a sunroof to make the space feel open and make it easier for people to connect. The terrace is sheltered with a wall of wood in the language of the building protecting from the wind or views. Direct access to the courtyard will make this a comfortable space to retire for a moment alone, or gather in the open air.