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'beukenhof auditorium and crematorium' by asymptote architecture, schiedam, netherlands
all images courtesy of asymptote architects
new york firm asymptote architecture has received the 2013 progressive architecture award for 'beukenhof auditorium and crematorium,' a sinuous and
pristine design for the community of schiedam. harmonious with the surrounding dutch greenery, the religious refuge seeks to accommodate and
celebrate a variety of spiritual denominations and rituals both in its program and form. the building pays homage to the rich tradition of
the architecture of faith, manifesting qualities of movement and worship with an intricately perforated skin and sculptural volumes of space and water.
adjacent pools collect water flowing along the structure's surfaces, providing an audible serenity to accompany the modulated light afforded by the
dematerialized building envelope. in the spirit of commemoration and timelessness, the cultural center is flexible in program and is designed to be an
open-ended venue for musical performances, exhibitions and poetry. moreover, the architecture is both a celebration of human exuberance and a
testament to the possibility of the built form to realize a profound collective imagination.

a view of the runoff-collecting pool and luminous skin









apertures fill the space with diffused light

the elegant form empties into pools of water

sculptural ridges create the architectural landscape

the program is mean to be a open forum, celebrating diverse religions and cultural programs


the form abstracts the surrounding tree-lined canals while allowing nature to inform structure
project info:
architects: hani rashid and lise anne couture
design team : josh dannenberg, duho choi, brian deluna, oliver dibrova, ryan macyauski, john hsu, susan kim, penghan wu, shi yun
structural engineering consultant: knippers helbig
size: 1,977.10 square meters (21,281 square feet)
visualization: asymptote & luxigon paris
3d-printing: design prototyping technologies
what a beautiful model.
A building to die for. It’s interesting to see a crematorium I really want to visit. I hope it will be there when my time has come (around 2074).
I want to be there. Meditate there, worship there, etc. Stunning.
Yes , very nice indeed
beautiful, sensual.
amazing jd, amazing.