The asymmetric layout and catafalque provides intimacy, regardless of the size of congregation at any given service. The protected view garden gives the chapel light, visual amenity and relief to this space and fully blends with the backdrop of surrounding landscape. The works comprise extensive landscaping, including car-parking, memorial gardens, woodland areas, long grass meadows with mown grass paths and paved entrance forecourt to the crematorium. A priority has been placed on clear circulation for visitors to avoid mourners from consecutive services overlapping and creation of efficient staff management and circulation routes for effective day-to-day running and operations. Establishing and maintaining a strong sense of place using landscape and building features has been given careful consideration, as has the sites challenging location within a Green Belt.
The hardscape and planting have really integrated with the architecture and timber engineering, with distinctive pockets of space created between building, wildflower mounds and limestone gabion walls. The vistas and visitor flow through the building feel just right and ready for the first ceremony. We are looking forward to seeing the specimen trees, shrubs, woodland and meadow planting establishing and forming an integral part of the memorial experience across the site.
The building design has been developed with Watford Borough Council on behalf of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (Watford Borough Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City & District Council, Three Rivers District Council).
Photography by Simon Kennedy
