Vestfold Crematorium, Sandefjord

Contemporary crematoria have to be religiously neutral spaces, appropriate to everyone who wants to participate in the process, right up to witnessing the cremation itself. There are also important technical and functional considerations, with emphasis on good working conditions for staff; in addition the building often has a significant position in its context and landscape.

Vestfold crematorium is located on a noisy site by the E18 motorway, but its location next to a small beech forest screens the approach from noise and view.

Almost the entire complex, even the oven rooms, is open to the public, so the path of the coffin through the plan is kept simple. The height of the volumes increases towards the oven room, keeping the entrance façade low and intimate.

The external walls are in loadbearing brickwork, with concrete cantilevers. The floors are light concrete with a local stone aggregate. Exposed heavy materials help regulate and cool the indoor climate. The heat from the smoke purification is recirculated in the underfloor heating.

Landscape

The location of the crematorium makes the seasonal changes of the beech forest part of the atmosphere in all of the main spaces. The technical side of the building and the garden by the main ceremonial space are screened by walls.

The landscaping of the park is inspired by the cultural landscape of the local area. Existing trees are retained and new fruit trees, beeches and oaks planted, along with a clipped willow hedge. Several small gardens use plants like periwinkle, day lilies, geraniums and aquilegia. The outdoor landscape also allows universal access.