Maggie's Centre, Dundee

Maggies Centre Dundee

The UK's first building designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry opened in September 2003. The design was commissioned by Maggie's Centres, the pioneering cancer support organisation, for their third Centre at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

Frank Gehry, famed for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was a close friend of Maggie Keswick Jencks the Founder of Maggie's Centres. Like Frank's other buildings, Maggie's Dundee has his signature features - Not one of its walls are straight and it is topped by a stunning concertinaed roof made of stainless steel and timber!

Fast Facts

  • Although relatively small, Maggie's Dundee is probably the most unusual building in Scotland!
  • Maggie's Dundee - the UK's first building designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry - has been named building of the year by the Royal Fine Art Commission.
  • The cancer support centre in Dundee was opened by Sir Bob Geldof!
  • Maggie's Dundee has been built in beautiful surroundings and commands stunning views down the Tay Estuary and across to North Fife.
  • The signature of Frank Gehry's designs are their curving walls and unusual roofing. Frank began the process of the design by working with the staff at Maggie's to arrange the building blocks of the rooms in a suitable layout. Once this was agreed he then began designing the building around them. Frank makes approximately sixty models for each of his buildings until he is happy with the design! - phew!
  • For Maggie's Dundee Frank was inspired by the design of historic simple Highland dwellings known as Brochs.
  • Externally the roof is enveloped in folded metal; the inspiration of the folds of a dutch hat worn by a girl in a Vermeer painting. There is a walk way leading off from the kitchen area which goes out on stilts above the valley side for visitors to take in the view.
  • The environmental surroundings of the centre have been designed to contrast sharply with the views that are normally found in the vicinity of a hospital and it's easy to see that this has been very successful!