ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Princess Máxima Center in Utrecht, Netherlands by MMEK’February 4th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: v2com The Princess Máxima Center in Utrecht opened in May 2018. From that point onwards, all healthcare, research and training in the Netherlands related to children with cancer is concentrated in one place. Every year 600 children aged anywhere up to 18 are diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, the treatment options are getting better all the time and more than 75% of patients can now expect to be cured. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement: the proportion of patients cured should be raised to 100%, the side effects and late effects of treatment need to be reduced and by 2020 the Princess Máxima Center aims to be one of the world’s top five paediatric oncology research institutes in the world.  Entrance – A low and open design gives the reception area a friendly and approachable look and feel, emphasising the inviting character of the building, Image Courtesy © Chris van Koeverden
 Hall – The entrance serves as a central reception area for visitors to the Princess Máxima Centre. It also has a residential function and includes a coffee corner, space for temporary exhibitions, playground furniture and access to the restaurant, Image Courtesy © Erik van ‘t Wout The Princess Máxima Center will offer development-centred healthcare. Despite their illness, young patients are still growing and it is important to encourage their cognitive, socio-emotional and motor development. This means that the hospital’s organisation, interior layout and facilities must meet high standards. MMEK’ involved all stakeholders, such as patients, parents, interest groups, healthcare professionals and building management in the design process to ensure that these standards could be fulfilled.  Science & Discovery Centre – Children are always eager to learn. Even when they are seriously ill. Moreover, incentives to learn can distract their attention from their illness and improve their quality of life. In the Princess Máxima Centre, the Science & Discovery Centre focuses explicitly on that eagerness to learn, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Daycare – The day-care rooms on the second and third floors are two special areas. These large open spaces are divided into smaller units that families can retreat to and in which children can do their homework or play. The layout is such that care providers still have a clear overview of the entire space, Image Courtesy © Chris van Koeverden All aspects of the new center have been designed based on a single philosophy and are devoted to development-centred healthcare. The Science Discovery Center, the Building site and the Park all form part of a seamless concept and contribute to a stimulating environment centred on children and their ongoing development. The brand identity of the Princess Máxima Center is expressed in all elements of the interior. Its rooms, furniture and toys form part of an integral design. The interior is styled in a uniform manner, which is recognisable throughout the building, making it an understandable and familiar environment.  Science & Discovery Centre – It offers children and their parents the space and facilities they need to gain a deeper understanding of cancer and the treatment that the hospital provides through interactive multimedia installations. There is also information available about the unique research taking place inside the Princess Máxima Centre, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Science & Discovery Centre – Children are always eager to learn. Even when they are seriously ill. Moreover, incentives to learn can distract their attention from their illness and improve their quality of life. In the Princess Máxima Centre, the Science & Discovery Centre focuses explicitly on that eagerness to learn, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers The center aims to be a safe and stimulating place for patients and their parents where everyday family life can continue as much as possible. MMEK’ designs unforgettable spaces that combine digital, physical and spatial elements into unique experiences. Spaces for healthcare, museums and brand experience centers. Its architects, interior designers, industrial designers and multimedia developers spent a great deal of time working together on the design. Their reversed design approach created a holistic interior. In reversed design, it is not the architectural construction, but instead the needs and wishes of the users that are most important.  Science & Discovery Centre – There are also two separate practice areas with an MRI scanner and an RT accelerator. Here the children can prepare for their treatment, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  The quiet room – The design of the quiet room is not based on a religious conviction or persuasion. The gradually changing light wall creates a balanced dynamic in the space, so that people can unwind. A muted room that is effectively screened off from external stimuli, giving people the space they need to reflect and perform their own rituals, Image Courtesy © Chris van Koeverden The result is a strong, harmonious design centred on patients, their families and healthcare professionals. During the design process for this integrated design, MMEK’ deployed mock-ups and virtual reality. This made it possible to realistically visualise various areas and facilities at an early stage, allowing them to be discussed and assessed by the stakeholders. This meticulous approach is the only way to produce a result supported by all stakeholders.  The quiet room – The design of the quiet room is not based on a religious conviction or persuasion. The gradually changing light wall creates a balanced dynamic in the space, so that people can unwind. A muted room that is effectively screened off from external stimuli, giving people the space they need to reflect and perform their own rituals, Image Courtesy © Chris van Koeverden  Building site – The Princess Máxima Centre wants to provide a stimulating and safe environment for its patients and their parents, in which normal family life can carry on as smoothly as possible and in which children can continue to develop and play. One of the spaces in which this is expressed is the Building site with its giant crane, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – It contains play elements and relaxation corners that stimulate patients to move around or spend time with their relatives. Patients with less physical strength are also stimulated to take more exercise here. It is an attractive, open space in which patients and relatives can meet while enjoying a beautiful view of the surrounding area, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – Another unique space is the Park. The most striking element is the impressive furniture, which meanders like a landscape through the space and in which there is plenty to discover, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – It contains play elements and relaxation corners that stimulate patients to move around or spend time with their relatives. Patients with less physical strength are also stimulated to take more exercise here. It is an attractive, open space in which patients and relatives can meet while enjoying a beautiful view of the surrounding area, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Science & Discovery Centre – Children are always eager to learn. Even when they are seriously ill. Moreover, incentives to learn can distract their attention from their illness and improve their quality of life. In the Princess Máxima Centre, the Science & Discovery Centre focuses explicitly on that eagerness to learn, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – Another unique space is the Park. The most striking element is the impressive furniture, which meanders like a landscape through the space and in which there is plenty to discover, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – It contains play elements and relaxation corners that stimulate patients to move around or spend time with their relatives. Patients with less physical strength are also stimulated to take more exercise here. It is an attractive, open space in which patients and relatives can meet while enjoying a beautiful view of the surrounding area, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Park – It contains play elements and relaxation corners that stimulate patients to move around or spend time with their relatives. Patients with less physical strength are also stimulated to take more exercise here. It is an attractive, open space in which patients and relatives can meet while enjoying a beautiful view of the surrounding area, Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers  Image Courtesy © Ewout Huibers
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Tags: Netherlands, Utrecht Categories: Cancer Center, Child Care, Hall, Health Research centre, Hospital, Interiors, Science Centre |
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