Interior Healing

Architecture of hope

An example from practice working with sensory healing and health architecture is the architectural concept that at present time is world famous under the term ‘Maggie’s Centres’ (Jencks, 2015). A concept that evolved in 1994 by an American architect, Charles Jencks, and his wife, Maggie Jencks. Motivated by the believe of being able to extend life of cancer patients by improving their physical surroundings and thus improve their quality of life. Designers characterise it as ‘placebo architecture’ that naturally will impact patients mental, psychological and maybe even physical health. An ideology that builds on top of the holistic approach to architecture.

The vision was to deinstitutionalise cancer centres and thereby empowering patients, by designing a more hopeful, pleasant and homelike atmosphere around them, by implementation of quality materials and warm colours. An architecture that encourage community, solidarity and communication. Many of the users of the Maggie’s centres around the world have only positive feedback regarding the concept (Jencks, 2015).

“[A Maggie’s Centre] is like a house that is not a home, an existentialist church that is non-denominational, a hospital that is a non-institution, and a place of art that is a non-museum” by Charles Jencks, the creator of Maggie’s Centres (Jencks, 2015, p. 7)

Figure 34 Frirom, Norway

Figure 35 Maggie's Cardiff