From a hole in the ground, I have been watching and willing the progress of the UCL Macmillan Cancer Centre. It is now open and it is warmly welcomed in Bloomsbury, London and the world-wide medical research community. The centre, designed by Hopkins Architects, is part of the largest medical research campus in Europe and is the first Ambulatory Cancer Center outside of the USA.
The centre provides joined up care from research, diagnostics, treatments, counselling, information as well as complimentary therapies. There are also dedicated environments to treat particular kinds of cancer.
Architecturally, the building speaks of understated quality. For me it takes the best from Bracken House and strips away any showiness that might be appropriate for a financial centre. It is a confident and assured building and fits perfectly in the urban campus of a world class university.
