New Chapel: Crownhill Crematorium:

With the expansion of Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Council Environmental Health required a new crematorium to serve the community. A spiritual and tranquil design was proposed comprising austenitic stainless steel clad, cycloid form concrete roof vaults, located over thermally separated split concrete columns. This approach was inspired by Louis Kahn’s Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new building comprises a waiting area, a porte cochère, a chapel with a circular sanctuary, catafalque and Japanese garden, a cremator room for two new cremators with mercury abatement, a staff accommodation, wreath court, and a promenade with a rill. Sustainability has been a prime consideration. Many of the building materials selected are Green Guide A rated.

The principal spaces will be naturally ventilated by means of Windcatchers. Heat energy will be recovered from the plant to heat the building. Additional free winter heating and summer cooling is provided by means of ground source heat pumps. The existing grounds have been developed into a wildlife garden with SUD’s ponds.