Controversial Holl Maggie's design for Barts approved by narrowest of votes

摘要

Steven Holl's proposal for a Maggie's Centre at St Barts Hospital was narrowly approved by 11 votes to 10 by the City of London's planning committee last week. The American architect's original proposals for a cancer care centre on the site were rejected by the City last June (AJ 04.06.13), the first time in the charity's 18-year history that one of its schemes had been turned down. Revised proposals by Holl were met with fierce resistance by campaign group The Friends of the Great Hall, headed by retired gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who claimed the designs would have a detrimental impact on the hospital's Grade I-listed Great Hall by James Gibbs (1738). The changes, which saw Holl's cancer care centre 'detach' from the hospital's Great Hall, failed to appease the objectors, who argued it was still too 'bulky' and 'ultra-modern'. Instead they asked Michael Hopkins to draw up alternative plans, for which they won planning in April (AJ 29.04.14).