The bachelor course Architecture in the contemporary was aimed at ”developing novel spatial and structural typologies through the use of surface modeling, simulation and digital fabrication”. During the course we first experimented freely with digital tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper, gaining knowledge about the programs before utilizing them in the design of a crematory in the Limhamn limestone quarry. The disused quarry in the southeastern part of Malmö is in and of itself a large cemetary being made up of organism who roamed the earth 65 million years ago. With the addition of the crematory Descent to the site new generations of people will share their final resting place with these ancient creatures in the walls of the quarry.
The ramp begins on the visitor entrance level and leads down to the next level of the quarry. It moves in and out of the ground in a gradual transition from dark to light. The last part of the ramp is completely opened up and made out of glass and steel beams. At the end of the ramp you reach the second ceremonial hall, a smaller but lighter room than the first, with views out over the whole quarry. A movement towards light From this level it’s possible to exit the building and venture into the quarry. Outside, dug into the cliffside wall is the columbarium. Walking out of the building and along the columbarium will lead you to an elevator that takes you back up to the ground floor. The elevator also has a connection with the ramp at the middle of the ramps length.
The crematory Descent has three levels. The first one is situated on ground level and this is where the arriving bodies are stored. One step down into the quarry is the main ceremony hall as well as the facilities required for the cremation process. On the last level, one step further into the quarry, there is a second ceremonial hall for urn ceremonies, a columbarium in the cliff wall as well as smaller chapels for solitary contemplation. To make the quarry and the columbarium accessible Descent takes the shape of rocks falling down and over the cliffside while hosting a ramp in its interior. In a procession from dark to light the crematory gradually changes from a cavelike interior into a chrystal form letting in light and opening up to views of the quarry.
