Funeral Hall Svinov

The funeral hall is located on the western side of the cemetery expansion area. It sits at the focal point of the new scattering meadow, though its geometric center is left open. It faces east with a vertical entrance portal and concludes the perspective along the existing avenue of mature trees. It floats above the surrounding meadow just like the sailboat of our lives.

The hall has a crystalline mass with symbolic shaping representing the course of life from birth to death and beyond. The entrance (birth) is a tall triangular slit, which leads further into the ceremonial hall (life) that forms the main building volume, ending with a very low horizontal interface and break (death), where the floor curves into a long pyramidal skylight (the passing of the soul). Through the skylight, a flood of golden light descends onto the catafalque, dramatically accentuating the significance of the space with the coffin. The light itself symbolizes something higher that transcends our earthly endeavors and that we all subconsciously seek with our gaze toward the sky.

The building is executed with angular surfaces made of light gray concrete and frameless windows with coated glass. The furnishings are made of bleached wood, and some surfaces are coated with gold.