The proposal by Josep Ferrando, David Recio, and Rafael Aliende for the new crematorium in the Hörnli cemetery respects the identity of the protected existing building while establishing a void between it and the upper street level, an “entrance space”. This “empty-built” space between the two buildings, the existing one and the new one, becomes the entry square because of their connection in the underground level. This way, the new building appears as a visually independent and representative piece, isolated among the trees. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The Building Department of the Canton of Basel, Switzerland has conducted an architectural competition for the construction of a new crematorium in the Hörnli cemetery. Their design protects the existing building by leaving a distance, in appearance, at the upper street level without disturbing it. The covering material, polished black concrete, allows the trees’ girths and shadows be “tattooed” into the building skin, putting it into context. It pretends to be an elegant and sober architecture that responds to the demanded multicultural character. The new building also generates a distance and a dialogue with the protected curved wall which becomes the down level base.
