The importance of good design

I've been on the Board of the Maggies Centres cancer charity for quite a time now and over the years have come to appreciate that good design can make a real difference. For someone whose idea as a child of a Lego building was one of lots of straight lines using bricks of the same colour, this is a real progress. 

 Maggies uses well known architects such as Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry to design purpose built drop in centres based at cancer centres throughout the UK. These buildings are all deliberately created as a contrast to the medical institution they sit next too. They are all different and demonstrate creativity that is beyond an accountant like me. However, they all share some common characteristics; they are all set around the kitchen table, they are all loved by their local communities and they all facilitate the social, emotional and practical help that Maggies offers. It was well summed up when I visited the centre in Oxford. A group of ladies who had meet during their treatment for Breast cancer said that the new Maggies Centre 'made them feel well'.

The importance of design and architecture was brought home to me when I read about the history of the UK Houses of Parliament. Apparently, it's architecture and design is a matter of history as in 1547 King Edward VI gave parliament a disused chapel for use as their debating chamber. Although it has been rebuilt since then, the original design features were maintained. It means that we now have a chamber that is far too small for the number of MPs and one that deliberately encourages confrontation by sitting MPs from different parties directly facing each other across the aisle. It does not faciliate dialogue and debate but encourages aggression and confrontation. No wonder it is likened to a bear pit at times.  It also looks and feels old fashioned with the Speaker propped up on a platform that looks suspiciously likes an altar and where voting involves walking through a series of doors to reach the right room. No wonder people feel that politicans are out of touch. 

Maggies was founded by Charles Jencks and in his book Architecture of Hope he says "Architects have designed us good buildings that last, which sustain our staff and ethos. They have raised the fighting spirit of many patients, lifting their hearts at a time of desperation." In our efforts to bring a Maggies centre to other parts of the U.K we are continuing in this spirit with Norman Foster designing the centre in Manchester and Thomas Heatherwick working on the one in Leeds. As the UK parliament faces the challenge of repairing and refurbishing the Palace of Westminster I hope they take the opportunity of using great design and great architecture to produce a building fit for a 21st democracy. I am not hopeful.