Baumschulenweg Crematorium

Abstract

The building stands at the end of the northeast-southwest axis of a medium-sized cemetery. The crematorium itself is symmetrical about its axis. With a width of 48.96 metres, a depth of 67.2 metres and a height of 11 metres, the building is exceptionally large. The frontage is characterised by three tall recessed forecourts, two of them wide, one narrow. At the rear of each “narthex”, is a glazed plane that reaches from floor to ceiling. A slot in the concrete ceiling directs one’s gaze on ahead into the building; the entrance, however, is through a sliding door to one side. The 30 by 30 metre large rectangular vestibule within the building has the dimensions of an urban square. Concrete walls enclose the hall to the northwest and southeast. Indented niches structure their surfaces. The centre of the hall is marked by a shallow circular fountain. The concrete roof is borne by 29 circular columns. A short cantilevering bracket connects each column with the roof; in all other directions, column and roof are separated by an opening. The roof plane appears to float.