HofmanDujardin imagines a Funerary Center that offers a contemporary, peaceful space for celebrating the deceased

2018-07-20T16:01:00-04:00

Many funerary homes still around these days typically feel stuffy and gravely outdated, like you suddenly stepped back into a previous century. Based on their personal experiences, architects Michiel Hofman and Barbara Dujardin of the Amsterdam-based firm HofmanDujardin took their own approach to this typology by designing the Contemporary Funerary Center.

According to the architects, the design concept responds to the lack of modernized funerary spaces that bring a sense of ease to the bereaved. Immersed in a lush landscape, the 1,600 m2 building features a calming, pared down aesthetic with wide panoramic windows that bring in ample natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. A sequence of three rooms are shaped around a central area where a coffin can be placed.

Rendering: VEROVisuals.

In the first room, the family, friends, and guests are enclosed by a “memory wall”, a multimedia screen that displays a collage of photos and videos of their loved ...

Stunning royal crematorium for late Thai monarch ready to go up in flames this week

2017-10-23T15:03:00-04:00

At the center of the royal funeral is a $30 million, nine-spire structure where the beloved monarch’s body will be cremated. For months now, legions of Thai architects, designers, artisans, and craftsmen have been working on the funeral complex in Bangkok’s Sanam Luang field. They’ve erected a series of golden pavilions festooned by thousands of elaborate sculptures, textiles, art works and sandalwood flowers.

Architect Theerachat Weerayuttanon and art technician Korkiat Thongphut of the Thai Ministry of Culture — and fervent devotees of the country's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej — worked feverishly to present a crematorium design fit for a deity when they were tasked with the job only hours after the monarch's passing last year.

Their work, and that of countless craftsmen and artisans, will go up in flames at 10 p.m. this Thursday.

Archinect - News

HofmanDujardin imagines a Funerary Center that offers a contemporary, peaceful space for celebrating the deceased

Stunning royal crematorium for late Thai monarch ready to go up in flames this week