Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, FacadeVan De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Interior Photography, FacadeVan De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, FacadeVan De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade, CourtyardVan De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: HULPIA architecten
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1209
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Adobe, Delta Light, Kanvas, Liquid Floors, Qubus, Trimble
Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
© Alejandro Rodriguez

Text description provided by the architects. How should we begin with the design of a funeral center that contains a restaurant and a private apartment? First, the analysis of the different uses that are required. What can be linked and what prefers a private or isolated character.

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Alejandro Rodriguez
Site plan
Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Alejandro Rodriguez

The morgue requires a subdued, serene atmosphere. It implies saying goodbye to the deceased privately. In contrast, the zone is intended for a farewell meal rather than a meeting place for the family. Notwithstanding restrained, it brings people together. Often to catch up and give one last tribute to the deceased. In any case, we are given an opener here with regard to the personal greeting to the dead.

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade, Courtyard
© Alejandro Rodriguez

The best solution, in our opinion, for this conflict of privacy is to split the building into the mortuary and the restaurant. The division takes place by creating a continuous (possibly lockable) hall in which toilets, cloakroom, and decorative ornament sales are housed. The meeting of the mortuary, restoration, and living is a central point where we provide the reception desk.

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Chair, Beam, Handrail
© Alejandro Rodriguez
First floor plan
Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Interior Photography, Facade
© Alejandro Rodriguez

Making two entrances gives us the advantage of keeping the building flexible and providing one entrance for mortuary / private entrance and the other (more towards the parking area) for the restaurant. The building volume is determined by mutually shifting boxes, creating spatial tensions, openness, and security, a game of light and shadows. The experience of the last greeting is enhanced by this, we gradually move from a higher, more open volume to the lower, more secure greeting room.

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Handrail
© Alejandro Rodriguez

Our volume game creates a very subtle light just before the greeting of the deceased. The parlors also benefit from such game of light, for example, natural light is drawn into the reception area via an upper window and the large room receives filtered light from wood.

Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Alejandro Rodriguez

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Project location

Address:Zomergem, Belgium

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "Van De Velde Funeral Center / HULPIA architecten" 27 Apr 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/938290/van-de-velde-funeral-center-hulpia-architecten> ISSN 0719-8884

© Alejandro Rodriguez

范德维尔德葬礼中心 / HULPIA architecten

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