A new Crematorium for glenrothes
Location: Glenrothes, Scotland
Type: Civic
Stage: Planning Permission Granted
The design of a new crematorium for Glenrothes seeks to respect a series of existing linear ‘desire paths’ in the mature grassed meadow, the site masterplan emerged through a designed east-west orientated line delineating the public and private spaces associated with the crematorium. Transitioning from a mark in the ground, through a hedge, a screen and eventually a perforated wall this ‘line in the land’ becomes the threshold across which coffin and mourners pass in the final dignified stages of committal within the crematorium.
The new landscape, both public and private, is comprised of informal planting alongside a series of carefully curated formal gardens, paths and private contemplation spaces.
By the nature of its function the crematorium is a private building. Solid masonry planes and blocks enclose and conceal internal activities while glass is carefully introduced to control views and daylighting.
The crematorium building is composed of a series of spaces which are largely concealed behind a feature screen landscape and wall that leads from the proposed crematorium site entrance at Whitworth Avenue to the main building entrance.
The massing of the crematorium is intentionally minimal, intending to be subservient to the existing and proposed plate landscape where all buildings single storey. The most prominent and important spaces in the crematorium are identified with lanterns above the ceremony room above the catafalque, above the family viewing room and above the crematory. The crematorium is intended as a building which will have a long life, and the quality of materiality should reflect this using a timber frame which is clad using a combination of clay brick with glass support this expression of quality and longevity.
The new crematorium is defined by and subservient to the landscape within which it sits, a place of transition where the architecture quietly forms a backdrop to the journey from life to death.
