Archinect - News

Belgian crematorium designed by KAAN Architecten to be a peaceful oasis

2018-11-14T15:44:00-05:00

Located in the Belgian countryside, the recently completed Crematorium Sisegem has been designed by KAAN Architecten as a peaceful oasis. In Belgium, crematoria typically have a more complex programming than in other countries and are commonly used as spaces for gathering, enjoying a meal, and reconnecting with friends and family, says the architects. To help encourage a site of introspection for visitors, the Dutch firm designed a restrained space that can be interpreted and used differently by each individual.

The surrounding landscape, laid out by Brussels designer Erik Dhont, has been carefully devised to help slow down visitors and provide a sense of clam upon arrival. The service road for hearses was arranged to be out of view entirely, while the adjacent hills have been dedicated for scattered ashes and an urn garden. To the north, a pond serves as a reservoir for rainwater and to provide a sense of calm.

The site has been ...

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.

Seoul Memorial Park by HAEAHN architecture

2012-08-08T17:06:00-04:00

Seoul-based firm HAEAHN architecture has shared with us images of its recently completed crematorium project, Seoul Memorial Park. The structure, located in the hills outside of Seoul, South Korea, was HAEAHN architecture's winning competition entry in 2009 and finally completed in 2012.

Beam me up, Fumihiko Maki

2011-04-19T11:25:31-04:00

Pritzker prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki uses a transition space to elevate the crematorium's customary banality and create an uplifting place that comforts the grief-stricken. In his Kaze-no-Oka Crematorium in Nakatsu, Maki achieves this by creating a chamber with no roof.