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Closer look: Waugh Thistleton Architects​' Bushey Cemetery expansion, a thoughtful design rooted in Jewish funerary tradition

By Justine Testado|

Friday, Jul 27, 2018

Photo © Lewis Khan.

Shoreditch-based Waugh Thistleton Architects, who is best known as a pioneer in tall timber construction, has also shared a strong relationship with the Jewish community for a long time now. In one of their recent projects, they worked closely with United Synagogue to expand the Bushey Cemetery, the UK's most significant Jewish cemetery. Designed with simple forms and carefully chosen materials in a lush 16-acre site in Hertfordshire, the cemetery was announced earlier this week as one of the 2018 RIBA Stirling Prize shortlisted finalists.

Photo © Lewis Khan.

Waugh Thistleton designed the expanded cemetery based on the process of the Jewish funeral. For instance, the architects carefully landscaped each major point in the procession to provide a contemplative atmosphere. 

Photo © Blake Ezra.
Photo © Lewis Khan.

Embedded into a low corner of the sloping landscape, the new prayer halls were built from solid rammed earth walls — an ancient building technique that is both sustainable and durable — and are lined with English oak. Corten steel doors fit into the buildings' simple, natural color palette. 

Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.

In the ceremonial spaces, the rammed earth walls were left exposed. The interiors of the prayer halls have soft, natural lighting to create a calm, somber atmosphere.

“The fact that the rammed earth walls of the prayer hall will return to the earth once the cemetery is full and has to be extended again, is a poetic response to the program for the cemetery and the traditions of the Jewish faith.,” the Stirling Prize jury wrote in their report.

Photo © Lewis Khan.

“The limited number of buildings, the simplicity of the forms and expressionist choice of materials all reflect the symbolism of burial to the Jewish community,” the jury continues. “An example of the care with which each element has been considered, is the gentle slope of the floor in the Prayer Halls that tips the visitors forward along the route to the graves.”

Photo © Lewis Khan.

The cemetery is also surrounded by a new series of ponds, weirs, and swails that add a peaceful water setting, while also enhancing biodiversity. Completed in April 2017, this project is one step forward in an ongoing process to gradually enlarge the cemetery.

All photos courtesy of RIBA.

RELATED NEWS Stirling Prize shortlist includes a Jewish cemetery, an innovative office complex, among other buildings
RELATED NEWS Follow the winding path through the Bloomberg, London office by Foster + Partners — a 2018 Stirling Prize finalist
RELATED NEWS RIBA announces 2018 Client of the Year shortlist, honoring clients championing brilliant architecture throughout the UK
RELATED NEWS Seven projects shortlisted for 2018 Stephen Lawrence Prize

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Closer look: Waugh Thistleton Architects​' Bushey Cemetery expansion, a thoughtful design rooted in Jewish funerary tradition

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Closer look: Waugh Thistleton Architects​' Bushey Cemetery expansion, a thoughtful design rooted in Jewish funerary tradition

By Justine Testado|

Friday, Jul 27, 2018

Share

Photo © Lewis Khan.

Related

cemetery ● stirling prize ● shortlist ● competition ● riba ● uk ● religious architecture

Shoreditch-based Waugh Thistleton Architects, who is best known as a pioneer in tall timber construction, has also shared a strong relationship with the Jewish community for a long time now. In one of their recent projects, they worked closely with United Synagogue to expand the Bushey Cemetery, the UK's most significant Jewish cemetery. Designed with simple forms and carefully chosen materials in a lush 16-acre site in Hertfordshire, the cemetery was announced earlier this week as one of the 2018 RIBA Stirling Prize shortlisted finalists.

Photo © Lewis Khan.

Waugh Thistleton designed the expanded cemetery based on the process of the Jewish funeral. For instance, the architects carefully landscaped each major point in the procession to provide a contemplative atmosphere. 

Photo © Blake Ezra.
Photo © Lewis Khan.

Embedded into a low corner of the sloping landscape, the new prayer halls were built from solid rammed earth walls — an ancient building technique that is both sustainable and durable — and are lined with English oak. Corten steel doors fit into the buildings' simple, natural color palette. 

Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.
Photo © Lewis Khan.

In the ceremonial spaces, the rammed earth walls were left exposed. The interiors of the prayer halls have soft, natural lighting to create a calm, somber atmosphere.

“The fact that the rammed earth walls of the prayer hall will return to the earth once the cemetery is full and has to be extended again, is a poetic response to the program for the cemetery and the traditions of the Jewish faith.,” the Stirling Prize jury wrote in their report.

Photo © Lewis Khan.

“The limited number of buildings, the simplicity of the forms and expressionist choice of materials all reflect the symbolism of burial to the Jewish community,” the jury continues. “An example of the care with which each element has been considered, is the gentle slope of the floor in the Prayer Halls that tips the visitors forward along the route to the graves.”

Photo © Lewis Khan.

The cemetery is also surrounded by a new series of ponds, weirs, and swails that add a peaceful water setting, while also enhancing biodiversity. Completed in April 2017, this project is one step forward in an ongoing process to gradually enlarge the cemetery.

All photos courtesy of RIBA.

RELATED NEWS Stirling Prize shortlist includes a Jewish cemetery, an innovative office complex, among other buildings
RELATED NEWS Follow the winding path through the Bloomberg, London office by Foster + Partners — a 2018 Stirling Prize finalist
RELATED NEWS RIBA announces 2018 Client of the Year shortlist, honoring clients championing brilliant architecture throughout the UK
RELATED NEWS Seven projects shortlisted for 2018 Stephen Lawrence Prize

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