asymptote architecture: beukenhof auditorium and crematorium

‘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 paris3d-printing: design prototyping technologies