The objective of the project was to introduce a non-clinical facility to support people and their families affected by cancer. It provides counselling advices (including financial), non-medical therapy to cancer patients and their families who live within the Sussex area, a venue for support groups as well as office space for cancer services including the Macmillan team. The facilities have created a welcoming and primarily ‘non-medical’ atmosphere as a refuge and respite for patients visiting the cancer centre opposite. A visitor’s experience within the centre was a key concern for the project and was considered at all stages of the design with emphasis on providing a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere with minimal stress.

Throughout the briefing and design process, consultation was carried out with Macmillan Cancer Support, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sussex Cancer Fund for Treatment and Research through a series of user group meetings. Input provided by this group has strongly influenced the project brief as well as design including location, orientation, access, layout and appearance with heavy emphasis on providing the best possible experience for the visitors as well as ease of working for the staff.

The scheme is located in the city of Brighton close to the sea front, on the eastern side of Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on a steeply sloping residential road which gives access to the hospital’s accident and emergency department, main car park and hospital deliveries entrance and also allows great views to the sea. The site is bordered by this road on the west, a school on the east and low-level houses to the north and south. The centre building has two entrances, one for the visitors and one for the staff which responds to the natural terrace it has been built on.