5 key facts about this project
The columbarium known as "Chamber of Memories" is located in the historically significant Riga Forest Cemetery. It serves as a space for remembrance and reflection, exploring deep themes related to death and loss. The design concept emphasizes the relationship between built forms and the natural environment, creating a setting for visitors to navigate their emotions.
Spatial Composition
The layout features geometric shapes like squares, circles, and rectangles arranged with care. Some forms are elevated while others are recessed, creating a dialogue between them. These changes in elevation produce negative spaces that define areas for quiet reflection. Visitors can easily move through the structure, experiencing different feelings as they transition from solitude to shared moments of remembrance.
Light and Shadow
Natural light plays an important role in shaping the experience within the columbarium. Openings in the structure allow daylight to enter from various angles. The interaction of light and shadow adds depth to the spatial qualities, enabling visitors to engage with the space in different ways throughout the day. Sunlight filtering through enhances the atmosphere, creating a setting that encourages contemplation.
Integration with Nature
The columbarium is closely tied to its surrounding landscape, which includes gentle meadows and tall evergreen trees. This connection to nature is essential in creating a calming environment. The design strives to make the experience of remembrance relatable and grounding, compelling visitors to reflect on their memories while being embraced by the tranquility of the outdoors.
Materiality
The use of cement-stabilized rammed earth lends a sturdy and textured surface to the columbarium. This material choice signifies themes of permanence and memory. Polished concrete elements are incorporated to ensure durability and maintain a visual connection to existing structures in the cemetery. The site features washed gravel, which helps blend the built environment with the natural landscape, reinforcing the unity between architecture and nature.
As visitors explore the spaces, they find moments of stillness. The interplay of light, the tactile surfaces, and the presence of nature work together, providing a rich and meaningful experience of remembrance.