Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects BVBA

Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark

Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark

Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects

MANUFACTURERS
Enjoy Concrete, Lootens

PHOTOGRAPHS
Luc Dewaele, Martine Neirynck

AREA
84 m²

YEAR
2007

LOCATION
Langemark-poelkapelle, Belgium

CATEGORY
Memorial Center 

Text description provided by architect.

The ‘Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark’, situated in Langemark, is a cemetery for soldiers. The lateral format of the site is the fundament op the landscape and the architectural concept.

Original is the lateral format based on the line of defence (Hindenburglinie Langemark-Geluveld) parallel with the width of the cemetery. The line is visualised with concrete block along the three bomb shelters aligned to the north.

The further process of Langemark is based on the architectural walk through the cemetery. The accent of the circuit is put on the sequential approach of the reception facilities and the cemetery. The walk is divided in different fazes that creates a global spatial experience. The first lateral area is the parking and the slope of the landscape.

This area is closed with a half-height wall, materialized in black smooth concrete. The wall creates a transition to the sacral space. The third lateral area is surfaced with boulders leading to the pavilion.

The pavilion is designed as a long black open box. It’s monolithic character embodies the modesty on an abstract way. The volume is located on the front side of the line of the mass grave. This grave is surrounded with basalt stones and with blackgreen copper plates.

It refers to the black volume. Every 6 meters is there a interstice based on the modulation of the grave stones of the biggest green zone. This has a double function: on the one hand for extra light and on the other hand for more view to the cemetery. They refers to the embrasures of the bomb shelters. Finally, there is a small square designed as a key point to the port building of the cemetery.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: -

The ‘Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark’, situated in Langemark, is a cemetery for soldiers. The lateral format of the site is the fundament op the landscape and the architectural concept.

Original is the lateral format based on the line of defence (Hindenburglinie Langemark-Geluveld) parallel with the width of the cemetery. The line is visualised with concrete block along the three bomb shelters aligned to the north.

The further process of Langemark is based on the architectural walk through the cemetery. The accent of the circuit is put on the sequential approach of the reception facilities and the cemetery.

The walk is divided in different fazes that creates a global spatial experience. The first lateral area is the parking and the slope of the landscape. This area is closed with a half-height wall, materialized in black smooth concrete.

The wall creates a transition to the sacral space. The third lateral area is surfaced with boulders leading to the pavilion. The pavilion is designed as a long black open box. It’s monolithic character embodies the modesty on an abstract way.

The volume is located on the front side of the line of the mass grave. This grave is surrounded with basalt stones and with blackgreen copper plates. It refers to the black volume.

Every 6 meters is there a interstice based on the modulation of the grave stones of the biggest green zone. This has a double function: on the one hand for extra light and on the other hand for more view to the cemetery. They refers to the embrasures of the bomb shelters.

Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark
Ground Floor Plan


Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark
Section
Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark
Elevation


Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark
Site Plan
Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Langemark
Detail Site Plan

Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects BVBA
T +32 50 388822 F +32 50 392314
Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects BVBA
Oude Sint Annadreef, 8200 Brugge, Belgium