Our design of the crematorium and cemetery facility focuses on the integration of a building within the existing and proposed landscape.
We feel it is appropriate that on such an important, yet sad day for families and communities, there should be an opportunity for mourner’s grief to be soothed by views into an uplifting landscape which fully complements and enhances the space in which the services take place. Our building fans onto the landscape by means of large spine walls. These walls allow us to establish a strong definition for the site master plan and offer subtle aids to ensure that mourners arriving into different chapels can be separated and treated with the utmost dignity. We have worked hard to ensure the two chapels have a high quality but characteristically distinct feel internally and externally so that mourners can choose a space appropriate to their personal requirements. The large spine walls architecturally harbour the chapels and the floral tribute areas so as to help define exceptional views into the landscape beyond. The floral tribute areas offer a discreet route to the waiting cortège or alternatively mourners can wander through to planted areas which weave back to discreet car parking areas set within the landscaped grounds. The form and materiality of the two chapels reflects the non-denominational requirement without reverting to overt iconography. Instead, a sense of calm and spirituality will be achieved through high quality internal finishes and defined use of daylight.
Sketches by Haverstock
