<c>Funeral hall in Roudnice nad Labem - 3rd prize</c>

Concept.
The funeral hall in Roudnice nad Labem is based on the location and program. On the border of the town, on the border of two worlds. A path along the wall, various atmospheres, working with the terrain, greenery, materials, light. Contemporary shaping of mass, archetypes /walls, tower, avenue of trees/. A complex stimulating a dignified farewell for the bereaved, a quality environment for the staff.

Urbanism.
The longitudinal mass radiates towards the urbanism of the city, respecting the directions of the existing municipal and Jewish cemetery. The transverse placement in the middle of the plot divides it into a bustling, service area and a quiet, residential part. The mass cuts into the terrain, creating ramps that define segregated accesses to the building. A horizontal concept in contrast with the tower. The scale and expression balance between profane and sacred architecture without predetermining it. Compactness allows for the economy of construction and operation. Along with the spread-out walls, however, it utilizes the plot in its entirety and is an adequate complement to both cemeteries.

Architecture.
Calm, non-exhibitive, contemplative. Balanced proportions of the whole and the interior spaces. Generous wall surfaces perforated by grouped, simple openings. Working with structures and materials and their reflectivity /glass, concrete, plaster, wood/. Muted natural light from unexpected places models simple, non-banal spaces, whose heights change depending on the function. The interior is designed fundamentally, in an understated manner.

Operation.
Clear delimitation and separation of areas for the bereaved and for the employees. The service, bustling area is logically placed in line with the access road /funeral vehicles, employees, parking/. The opposite, quiet side of the plot is designated for stay, contemplation, and communication among the bereaved.
The path the visitor takes from the parking to the hall leads through a new avenue of trees /perpendicularly connecting to the severed doksansky path/, a funnel between the wall and the field with distant views of the České středohoří in the northern corner of the plot, where a grassy area opens up with a relief /art/. Back via a ramp dotted with benches, under the crowns of ornamental trees to the covered forecourt. This is visually connected to the foyer in the first plan and the hall in the second plan.
The closest relatives have a separate section with a green atrium, a private toilet, and a second entrance directly into the hall. The hall is dominated by indirect light from the tower, supplemented by linear lighting at floor level, unobtrusive to concentration. In case of a ceremony, the path may continue directly to the cemetery.
The background is accessible via a ramp ending with a service yard along the dividing wall from the parking lot. The operation is designed non-conflictually between spaces for employees and the preparation of the deceased /filter of double doors/. The office and kitchenette are illuminated by a window from the southeast, the preparation area by a skylight.

Construction, technique.
Masonry, of large thicknesses /positive acoustic and thermal mass properties/. Common spans that do not require costly solutions, a two-wing layout separating the public part from the operational part vertically. The roof of the lower wing serves for rainwater retention with a cooling effect on the structure and a source for irrigation. Opening fillings are steel, mostly solid glazing, hidden frames, alternating transparent and dark repeating surfaces. Interior doors and partition walls are solid, wooden. The entire building is forced-ventilated and, if necessary, air-conditioned through HVAC.