The official opening of Crematorium Aalst will take place on Thursday 6 September at 17.00. The ceremony will include a welcome speech by Westlede director Kris Coenegrachts, the mayor of Aalst Christoph D’Haese, and a presentation by KAAN Architecten founding partner Vincent Panhuysen. A guided tour will take the visitors through the building, displaying the easily-read spaces and the cohesive relationship with landscape in which it is set.

The crematorium was built in the marshy pastures just outside of Aalst, Belgium. The serenity desired of such an institution has been carefully translated into a design that puts emphasis on natural light, varying textures and neutrality which can allow guests to find their own comfortable spaces. The goal was to design a building capable of internalizing the landscape so that its tranquility could console visitors and provide strength. Key to achieving this were its linearity, rhythmic layout of alternating patios, open courtyards, glass walls and – in the chapels – column-free spaces. Through the use of renewable and low carbon impact materials and the state-of-the-art heat recovery systems, zero-energy consumption is achieved, making sustainability an additional pillar of strength for the design.

Full release of the project is set for November. In the meantime, find out more about the design here. Photographs courtesy of Simone Bossi.

https://kaanarchitecten.com/crematorium-aalst-to-hold-grand-opening/