In 2021, Moser und Hager Architekten unveiled their vision for a mortuary in Kematen an der Krems, Austria, offering a profound exploration of architecture’s relationship with death and the human experience. Lead architects Anna Moser, Michael Hager, and Barbara Friesenecker sought to create more than just a building; they aimed to provide a space that honors the journey from life to death while offering solace to the living.
Conceptual Framework
At the heart of the project lies the acknowledgment of the impermanence of earthly existence. While architecture may not offer answers to the mysteries of death, it can create an environment that reflects the profound significance of this transition. The mortuary serves as a testament to the enduring dialogue between mortality and human culture, expressed through contemporary design language.
Symbolism and Design Integration
Drawing inspiration from ancient architectural motifs, the mortuary incorporates elements that resonate with humanity’s collective consciousness. A defining feature is the wall, symbolizing the separation between the world of the living and the realm of the departed. This boundary, coupled with the motif of the threshold, guides visitors along a symbolic path from the Romanesque parish church to the cemetery’s central axis.
Architectural Elements
The mortuary’s design centers around a conglomerate stone wall that extends from the cemetery, enveloping the funeral hall and providing a sense of enclosure and privacy. The delicate concrete roof, supported by slender T-profiles, floats above the wall, creating a contrast between solidity and weightlessness. Transparency is introduced through glass enclosures, allowing natural light to interact with the space and offering glimpses of the surrounding landscape.
Interior Atmosphere
Inside the funeral hall, oak wood accents and simple seating evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility. The space can be divided with a heavy curtain for privacy during ceremonies. Brass crosses adorn the rear wall, serving as a subtle backdrop for solemn rituals. At the forecourt, wooden wall panels can be rotated to create openings, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
Reflection and Contemplation
As visitors transition from the mortuary to the forecourt, they encounter a sloping landscape shaded by a green roof, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death. Rainwater collected in a central basin serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of existence, inviting contemplation and reflection on the passage of time.
The Mortuary in Kematen an der Krems stands as a testament to the profound intersection of architecture, mortality, and human experience, offering a space for remembrance, solace, and contemplation in the face of transience.
