Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes

The project brief was for a new and distinctive single chapel crematorium which allowed the function of the building to be seamless as well as to provide a reflective and tranquil place for the community. This approach taken was inspired by Louis Kahn’s Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

Concrete was used for both the structure and the paving. In the building white pigmented Lafarge Agilia was used the in-situ concrete frame and the cycloid form concrete roof vaults.

The principal spaces are naturally ventilated by means of wind-catchers. Heat energy is recovered from the plant to heat the building and additional free winter heating and summer cooling is provided by means of ground source heat pumps. This all works with the thermal mass of the concrete to ensure that the building is low energy.

The paved areas use block paving that is designed as part of a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDs). This SUDS system is incorporated into the existing grounds and the SUDs ponds form part of a wildlife garden.

The architect had a vision of a tranquil and spiritual place and the visual quality of the white concrete, connected by sustainable paving to the grounds and gardens has enabled this to be achieved.