Haverstock

The new building has two distinct programmatic elements; the first is the provision of a large chapel, allied with a series of internal and external waiting areas and ancillary spaces in which arriving mourners can congregate, designed sensitively to ensure arriving and departing mourners do not meet. The second element of the building is the more functional spaces for the cremator and administration and staff facilities. The catafalque (resting place for the coffin) provides the interface between the chapel and the more functional elements.  Some mourners choose to witness the committal of the coffin so even functional spaces have a high quality finish.

The overall form of the crematorium is legible by way of two specific languages: The waiting areas, Porte Cochere and administration facilities are unified by a single low roof element; the chapel and crematory are identified by a double-height volume covered in vertical timber cladding and a dual-pitched sedum roof.

Landscape and building design utilise the Porte Cochere as a primary identifier upon a well-defined axis of approach from vehicular areas. This strategy, allied with careful programmatic control of occupant movement internally, helps to orient all visitors to the site whilst serving to maximise the privacy and seclusion of the mourning parties.

Photographs by Tommy Pengilley.