The Practice was delighted to be asked to collaborate with Thomas Heatherwick in the production of a design for the Maggie’s Centre in Leeds.
The site was a tiny island of green on a hill next to a multi-storey car park, surrounded by large buildings with roads on two sides. It presented an opportunity to re-establish a lost landscape, even if only at a miniature scale. The landscape design was generated from the topography, building form, access and views as well as roof usage. The enriching ecology of a native woodland was the prime generator for the overall landscape design and with new planting at both ground level and on the roof, the site has become an oasis in the concrete desert.
The low-key woodland is welcoming, grounding and celebrates the cycle of the seasons. It creates a familiar natural ambience and can give hope to users of the centre as they experience the changing landscape and look forward to what the next season brings.Given the use of the building, it was also important that the design was not high maintenance so the natural planting is able, to some extent, to look after itself.
