© Joachim Grusell

• Architects: Strindberg Arkitekter
• Location: Kungsgårdsvägen 2B, 392 37 Kalmar, Sweden
• Design Team: Staffan Strindberg, Nick Flygt, Per-Olof Sällström
• Area: 1120.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2013
• Photographs: Joachim Grusell

• Client : Tommy Eriksson, Church of Sweden, Kalmar Parish Union
• Landscape Architect: Gröna Rummet
• Construction Engineering: WSP
• Hvac : WSP
• Electricity : WSP
• New Construction: 320 sqm
• Reconstruction: 800 sqm

© Joachim Grusell

From the 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. The crematorium had a small renovation done in the 90’s, replacing older technical systems with modern technology, but it was still in great need of an overall renovation. Increased demands of the program also required an extension of the building.

Site Plan

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.

© Joachim Grusell

An additional story of technical facilities has been added below the existing building. In order to fit all the required technology, large and poorly used spaces in the basement were made available, some through excavation. With this solution, the noise generated by the technical systems does not interfere with the light sound from the pine trees outside.

© Joachim Grusell

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.

© Joachim Grusell

The crematory now offers a completely different working environment. A transformation from typical industrial approach towards a intimate and dignified last farewell, providing an opportunity for the families to attend the cremation of the deceased, if chosen. 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.

Floor Plan

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.

© Joachim Grusell

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© Hélène Binet

• Architects: Russel Jones
• Location: London W11, United Kingdom
• Area: 330.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2012
• Photographs: Hélène Binet

• Architectural Assistants: Sofia Ferreira, Malcolm Thorpe, Melissa Beasley, Eleni Makri and Ross Tredget Structural design by Jonathan Douglas, of Douglas Kenney Consulting Engineers Building Services by John Treadgold, of Technical Solutions
• Party Wall Surveyor: Andrew Rysdale, of Robert Martell and Partners
• Building Contractor: Task Services, London
• Client: Private

© Hélène Binet

From the architect. The initial brief for a largely unrefurbished Victorian house on the South Side of London’s Westbourne Grove, centred around establishing a new family home for two adults and their young children. During the course of the project the family expanded from two children to four. Behind the original façade, the buildings circulation, rear form and fenestration limited the development of a new section able to generate enough space for a growing family.

Elevations

The resulting project involved the complete demolition of all original accommodation behind the front façade, and substantial excavation to facilitate the new proposal.

© Hélène Binet

The original half landing and cross wall configuration was superseded by vertically stacked circulation over six levels, and more generously proportioned and planned spaces. The living and dining area, over two levels, are linked by a double height gallery and motorized door, which opens directly onto a rear courtyard. Family accommodation extends beyond the new lower ground level up to the Westbourne Grove pavement.

Section

Level 1 is dedicated to the Master suite, with the upper levels accommodating the 4 children. The carefully considered simple palette of materials have been chosen to absorb and reflect light and provide continuous surfaces for the clients substantial art collection. Florentine Pietra Serena limestone is used throughout the living spaces and bathrooms, and grey oiled Oak is the primary floor surface in all bedrooms.

© Hélène Binet

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Museums are increasingly becoming key landmarks that help define the image of a city, housing part of its memory and culture. In recent decades they have gained even more importance thanks to their architectural designs. Briktop was inspired by iconic designs to create this video that features works that stand out in architectural history and are important references for all architects.

See the video and the list of works below.

Learn more about all the museums that appear in the video by clicking on the following links:

• Guggenheim / Frank Lloyd Wright (1959)
• Centre Georges Pompidou / Richard Rogers + Renzo Piano (1977)
• New Museum / SANAA (1977)
• Niterói Contemporary Art Museum / Oscar Niemeyer (1996)
• Guggenheim / Frank Gehry (1997)
• DAM / Studio Libeskind (2006)
• Tate Modern / Herzog & de Meuron (2000)
• Museum Aan De Stroom / Neutelings Riedijk Architects (2011)

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