Tag Archives: Architecture

The Tanatorium Sheds Literal Sunlight on Grieving Families

An architect builds a space for families to remember loved ones in peace

When you think of a death-centered art project, you probably don’t picture a massive concrete building. Yet this is exactly what architect Juan Carlos Salas created when he designed a unique tanatorium (literally “mortuary”) located on the outskirts of Zaragoza, Spain. On the … Continue reading

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Crematorium in Amiens Combines Science with Art

An architect creates a soothing, functional space for families

When you hear the word “crematorium,” it is rarely accompanied by the word “beautiful.” Recently, however, the architectural firm Plan 01 set out to change this common perception with two unique crematoriums, the Rennes Métropole Crematorium and the Crematorium in Amiens in France. Both buildings … Continue reading

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Re-thinking the Funeral Home Design

Architects and Designers Looking to Transform the Way We Process Death

Spaces that process death — funeral homes, family tombs, crematoria — are traditionally housed within structures that either perpetuate their morbid reputation or attempt to mask their purpose altogether. They are low-lying, dark, heavy buildings with outdated design and architecture. … Continue reading

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Creating New Life from Death

The Ashwinlkumar Crematorium of Surat, India

We are wrapping up our focus on India today, in honor of Gandhi’s birthday and the International Day of Nonviolence, with a look at the beautiful Ashwinlkumar Crematorium in Surat, India. The architecture of this structure pays respect to its … Continue reading

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Between the Abstract and the Real

Death, architecture and the public imagination

How do we come to terms with something as abstract as death? Our own heavy, very real flesh will one day be in another indistinct form. The sacred bodies of our loved ones are subject to the same fate. What … Continue reading

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The Rebirth of the Luz Cemetery

Pedro Pacheco and Marie Clément modernize the Portuguese cemetery — but don't lose sight of its history

How do you go about updating and displacing an entire cemetery? Architects Pedro Pacheco and Marie Clément completed the task in four years (1998-2002) with their revitalizing design for the Luz Cemetery in Portugal. Their efforts have brought a bright, … Continue reading

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