Interplay of Light
Installation of a columbarium within the cemetery chapel
Düsseldorf has seen growing demand for cremation and burial of ashes. To meet this need, a new columbarium was built at the Südfriedhof, the city's second-largest cemetery. The project required the conversion of the chapel on-site – originally designed by architect Johannes Radke in 1905 and designated a historic monument by Düsseldorf in 1986.
The architectural framework of this space echoes the proportions of a sacred building, with a central "nave" defined by a vaulted ceiling, flanked by lateral "aisles" on either side. Pfeiffer Architektur's redesign strategy involved selectively removing partition walls that once divided cells and farewell rooms, opening the space into expansive areas. Within these zones, cubic structures now house 550 urn chambers, arranged horizontally and staggered to create visual depth. The cover plates, rendered in varying shades of grey, generate a dynamic interplay of light, reflection, and shadow. Simple shelves accommodate LED candles and flowers. From the central nave, the eye moves freely across the individual rooms, where the mosaic-like composition of square grave markers echoes the symmetry restored to the interior windows lining the passageways. Rather than serving as a mere corridor, the columbarium's central zone has become a gallery-like hall where visitors can experience the entire spatial composition. The original terrazzo floor was carefully restored and refinished. This floor, the portal, and the ceiling's skylight – unified by minimalist, graphic detailing – create a coherent visual language. The skylight itself has been reimagined as an adjustable LED system providing even, diffused illumination. The portal, which demarcates the columbarium from the adjacent farewell and refrigeration areas, harmonizes with this aesthetic. Its columbarium-facing surface is finished in lacquered glass, while its door handles are crafted from patinated brass arranged in a cross formation. The renovation also prioritized universal accessibility through the addition of a wheelchair-accessible ramp.
Photography:
Katja Velmans
www.katjavelmans.de
(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|24)
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