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New mortuary and redevelopment of the cemetery in Bridel

The project

Text and illustrations : At architecture

Photos: Romy Schouten, Max Staus, Heng Nilles, Raoul Weicker, Lehmwerk Kleinfahner

At its meeting on 21 February 2023, the municipal council unanimously approved the preliminary design for the construction of a new mortuary at the cemetery in Bridel. The work includes the design of a new entrance to the cemetery, the construction of a mortuary chapel and a set of columbaria. Construction work on the mortuary began in early 2024.

An urban and architectural project

The transformation of the cemetery in Bridel and the construction of a burial chapel and new columbaria require a sensitive approach to project development. The architect has endeavoured to create a calm and dignified setting. At the same time, the project had to find an architectural language that would show the cemetery as a neutral place, open to the burial of people of all faiths. The analysis of the situation of the existing cemetery and of the site in general provided us with valuable information for the design of the new project. As requested by the College of Aldermen, a number of aspects were taken into consideration in the development of this project:

  • Design of a new entrance area to the cemetery, including a PRM toilet;
  • Priest's room with cloakroom and shower;
  • Technical and ancillary premises: cold room, room for gardening equipment and storage;
  • Burial chapel and ash distribution garden (Streewiss) for up to 70 people;
  • Addition of a set of 30 new columbaria (with the possibility of adding 15 more) - 12 steles housing urn niches (30x4 urns);
  • General reflections to improve the overall view of the cemetery.

Layout

Analysis of the urban situation and the location of the Bridel church determined the layout of the new cemetery buildings.

An axis running through the site, from the main entrance to the church through to the cemetery, can be seen as the new main artery along which the new buildings in the project will be built. This artery links the church in a straight line with the main entrance to the cemetery and continues towards the new centre of the project, where the mortuary chapel, the jardin du souvenir (for scattering the ashes of cremated remains) and the new set of columbaria will be located on either side.

In this way, the project offers a clear vision and establishes a new centrality for the cemetery, with a strong visual axis. 

Architecture

The new architectural project develops the following architectural concepts:

  • Returning to very simple forms for the reception buildings and the mortuary chapel;
  • Work on subtle layouts and strong conceptual ideas for the buildings;
  • Use sustainable materials;
  • Harmonise the overall view with the new paving on the main thoroughfares.

The mortuary chapel and the ash distribution lawn (Streewiss) 

The space of the mortuary chapel and the ambulatory circulating around the lawn for scattering the ashes are articulated in a fusion, the plan of the whole finding its inspiration largely in the architectural typology of a former convent. Like a cloister gallery opening onto its interior garden, the ambulatory, in the form of a metal construction with wooden lathing, creates an intimate gathering place around the ‘Streewiss’, while maintaining visual permeability with the forecourt outside.

The circular shape and original location of the lawn have been retained. The role of the ambulatory is to cover and protect people from the sun and rain during a funeral, for example. Seating has been incorporated into the construction of the ambulatory.

The chapel has a U-shaped adobe wall. A slab rests on this wall, covering the meditation area of the chapel, which communicates directly with the lawn for scattering ashes.

The chapel is designed as an open space, a shelter that is permeable to weather conditions, while providing protection from wind and rain. A zenithal opening not only provides exceptional light inside the chapel, but also lets the element of water into this emotionally-charged space. Sober furniture with a few benches, a pedestal for the coffin and candleholders complete the room's furnishings.

The cemetery entrance

The cemetery reception building adopts a more functional architectural language than that of the mortuary chapel, while at the same time exuding a strong personality. As you enter the cemetery, you immediately make visual contact with the chapel. The building houses the priest's quarters, a cloakroom and a small meeting room for bereaved families. Below the priest's room is the mixed PRM toilet. This toilet can also be used for events held in the square in front of the cemetery, while keeping access to the cemetery closed. To the left of the central axis is the cold room, which can hold up to 9 coffins stacked on top of each other. Next to it are the technical room and the storage room. At the far end of the building, there is a water inlet for filling watering cans. Further on, at the highest point, there are places for skips that are easily accessible by trucks. This area is closed off from the square by a large sliding gate. All the flat roofs are planted with vegetation.

The columbaria 

The programme calls for the addition of 50 urn niches to be installed in successive phases.

In the first phase, 30 units will be installed in 12 columbarium steles. Each niche can accommodate up to 4 urns stacked on top of each other.

The steles vary in height to give a dynamic view of the whole, and are groups of three in circular green spaces on the mortuary forecourt. Each of these steles has an offering area in the form of a small metal pedestal, which can be appropriated by the families. These four stelae gardens take the form of the ashes scattering patio.

The modular composition of the stelae gardens on the forecourt culminates in a circular water feature with a mirror effect, symbolically linking the earth and the afterlife.

The steles are made of a mixed structure with a steel frame and an exterior adobe cladding. The niches are closed by metal plates. The names of the families are engraved on the plates.

Exterior landscaping

A diagnostic of the cemetery's existing pavements revealed a situation with a multitude of different pavements due to the various extensions to the cemetery.

For the external landscaping, the project proposes to harmonise the overall view in relation to the ground coverings and to resurface the main axes of the cemetery with a concrete covering treated in a different way (hydrosanded or hydrogummed concrete).

Materials

The chapel, columbaria and entrance have been designed using two materials, adobe and metal. They contrast in appearance, solidity and durability. Pisé is fragile but warm, gives an impression of solidity and is the result of the delicate work of craftsmen. Corten steel is much more robust and resistant to corrosion. This confrontation is in some ways like the fragile body that decomposes and returns to the earth, leaving only the bones, unchanging. When it comes to adobe, there are two opposing construction methods:

  • The solid compacted rammed earth walls are 50 cm thick (Stampflehm), with occasional metal posts. This method is planned for the U-shaped wall of the chapel. The chapel slab, however, is made of concrete with clay plaster on the visible underside;
  • Mixed adobe and concrete construction. For technical reasons, the new entrance building is built as a double wall, with a concrete wall on the inside (or masonry) and a compacted adobe wall built in front of it on the outside;
  • The columbar stelae are made of a mixed structure: metal for the structure of the stela and an exterior cladding of adobe;
  • The ambulatory connected to the chapel is a metal construction with vertical cladding in the form of metal slats.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Commune of Kopstal

ARCHITECT'S OFFICE: At architecture

DESIGN OFFICE: Schroeder & Associés

START OF WORK: early 2024

ESTIMATED END OF WORK: November 2025