Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
In early February, the Netherlands' first multicultural bereavement center opened: the Afscheidshuis Amsterdam Zuidoost. It was preceded by years of consultation between people of different cultures, religions, backgrounds and communities. PKW Architects made the final design for this complex project of Yarden. Both the facade and the interior have been adapted to the ultimate goal: a space of reflection for different cultures in the middle of a busy, high-city environment.
On the northern façade, which opens onto the street, vertical wooden slats hide the underlying shell in glass.
The first multicultural bereavement center in the Netherlands is a reality, fulfilling a long-held wish of the residents and the board of the Zuidoost district and Yarden. "Although 160 nationalities are represented in this part of Amsterdam, there was not yet a meeting place where next of kin of those different cultures, religions and backgrounds could say goodbye to a deceased person according to their own wishes, beliefs and funeral rituals," says Paul Verbruggen of PKW Architects. "We were given the complex task of designing a building that is perfectly tailored to the premise of 'mourning' both outside and inside. For example, the construction of the facades is determined by the connection to the surroundings. After all, the building is located in the busy neighborhood of the Amsterdam Arena, where many cars and trains pass by, but it also adjoins an office building. Inside, the space can be arranged flexibly and everyone can arrange the space according to their own wishes and tastes."
When designing this building, the architect took into account its implantation in its surroundings and each facade was conceived in a different way. For example, the west facade, where the hearse arrives and the coffin movements occur, is hidden behind fences and awnings, while on the south side, the aesthetic concrete facade includes several windows. This allows mourners in the church to maintain a view of the surroundings without allowing employees of the nearby office building to see inside. "The north and east facades, on the street and square sides respectively, are designed to ensure sufficient light without allowing passersby to catch a glimpse of what is happening inside," adds the architect. "On the north side, vertical wooden slats hide the underlying shell in glass, while in the auditorium on the square side, small windows let in light but block the view from outside to inside."
Several windows were integrated into the aesthetic concrete façade on the south side. These provide a view of the surroundings while preventing employees of the nearby office building from looking in.
Anyone can visit the farewell house, from the old Amsterdammer who regularly frequents a brown pub to a Creole woman wearing a hoop dress. "The way of saying goodbye varies from culture to culture, from religion to religion, from community to community: own rituals, own mourning, own music, own food, .... That is why there is an understated Hindu mourning room with "slides" and earthenware dishes with unsalted butter that can be set on fire during the funeral. Mourning can also take place in a Ghanaian room, where sheets have been used to simulate heaven. On the night before the funeral, the Afro-Surinamese community can sing as loudly as they want without disturbing the neighbors and finally filing a complaint," Verbruggen explains. "The building can be arranged flexibly with the help of folding walls, allowing up to 400 people to fit in one room. The finish is neutral and sober, which allows everyone to arrange the space according to their own wishes and tastes. Thanks to versatile lighting and the possibility of projecting religious symbols, a homely atmosphere can always be created. In addition, there is a sound system, suitable for the quiet tones of a subdued service and the higher decibels of a more "exuberant" celebration. The complex also contains several kitchens with stronger air extraction than in most funeral homes, allowing bereaved families to cook their own meals as well. There is a ritual ablution room, and even the restrooms are adapted for the large robes and headgear some women wear at funerals. A pass gives you access to the building 24 hours a day."
So this multi-purpose funeral home has everything for bereaved families to say goodbye to their loved ones in their own way, according to their own beliefs and using their own funeral rituals. However, the building also has a social meeting function, as people can attend memorial services, lectures and concerts.
