Crematorium in Kalmar

Text description provided by architect.

Surrounded by large pine trees the church and crematorium of the Northern Cemetery in Kalmar lies beautifully. It was originally designed by the architect Rudolf Holmgren at Birch-Holmgren Arkitekter and completed in 1963.

Increased demands of the program also required an extension of the building. A thoughtful process with the main focus on creating a dignified farewell has led to a development of a slightly new facility.

It’s placement and material follows the order Rudolf Holmgren chose fifty years ago: pitch-faced limestone, plaster and lacquered oak façade, allowing it to attach with a humble approach.

With this solution, the noise generated by the technical systems does not interfere with the light sound from the pine trees outside.

The interior floor is just as the original buildings’ made of polished limestone in different tones. For warmer character of the ceremony-room, the planed limestone was chosen, with the beautiful and timeless tool-chiseled ”carpet” aligned in the center.

To the east the untouched view that provides the unique character of the ceremony-room was found. While seated, the low horizontal window cuts the view and creates a strong relation to the softly shaped lawn with the pine trunks shimmering in the light.

The crematorium was awarded the 2014 Swedish Stone Industry Association's prize ”Stenpriset” and the 2014 Swedish Association of Architects Blekinge- Kalmar's local architecture prize.