Architecture Portfolio | Morecambe Bay Cryomation Centre

THA 1200

ADVANCED AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

Ayaz Khan

CONTENTS METHODS OF BODY DISPOSAL 4-11 RESOMATION MUMMIFICATION CORAL REEF BURIAL PLASTINATION CRYOMATION SPACE BURIAL CRYONICS

INITIAL ANALYSIS 12-15 DEVELOPED BRIEF SITE RELIGIOUS FUNERAL METHODS

PRECEDENT STUDIES 16-20 LAKEWOOD CEMETERY GARDEN MAUSOLEUM COMMUNAL CREMATORIUM HORNLI CEMETERY COMPETITION ENTRY HEIMOLEN CREMATORIUM

DESIGN STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 21-42 CRYOMATION INFORMATION CHERRY BLOSSOMS INITIAL REPRESENTATIONS SKETCH IDEAS INITIAL REPRESENTATION SKETCH IDEAS BURIAL INFORMATION HEIRARCHAL MASSING PROCESSION SITE STRATEGY GRID IMPLEMENTED ON SITE IDEA GENERATION CONCEPTUALISATION MODEL MASSING DEVELOPMENT INITIAL PROPOSAL

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FINAL DESIGN RESOLUTION 43-56 SITE PLAN BUILDING PLAN SITE GRID PLAN COLUMN GRID SECTIONS ELEVATIONS ROOM OF REFLECTION OUTDOOR AREA OF REFLECTION FINAL PROPOSAL VIDEO PROPOSAL

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES 57-75 SLATE SOLAR PANELS STRUCTURAL INSULATED ECO PANEL TECHNOLOGY GLOW IN THE DARK PATH RAMMED EARTH RETAINING WALL KALLWALL TRANSULUCENT DAYLIGHT SYSTEM GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP MECHANICAL HEAET RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED STRATEGIES REFERENCES

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METHODS OF BODY DISPOSAL

RESOMATION Anderson-McQueen funeral home in St. Petersburg, Fla., is currently the only place in the United States where people can have their tissues dissolved as an alternative to traditional cremation. The processis also called bio-cremation as it is a lot more eco-friendly than cremation. This method uses heated water and potassium hydroxide to liquefy the body, leaving only bones behind. The bones are then pulverized, much as in regular cremation, and the bone fragments are returned to the family.

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MUMMIFICATION Adapting the tradition of the ancient egyptians, mummification involves wrapping the body and preserving it in a tomb-like structure. It was believed sacred and to this day, a religious organisation called Summum offers these services.

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CORAL REEF BURIAL Georgia-based Eternal Reefs creates artificial reef material out of a mixture of concrete and he crushed bone left over from cremations. These heavy concrete orbs are then placed in areas where reefs need restoration, attracting fish and other organisms that turn the remains into an undersea habitat.

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PLASTINATION A form of mummification, Plastination refers to the body being coated in plastic so therefore the body seems to resemble the same appearance throughout its time; much like a wax statue. Plastination is widely used in the medical field to maintain the integrity of organs and bodyparts, used predominantly for teaching. Nowadays, it is beginning to gain popularity as people are opting to put their body through the procedure after death and become a statue.

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Cryomation uses Liquid Nitrogen and freezes the body until it is brittle. The body is then broken into segments with vibrations. After this, metal in the body is removed and the body is recycled in the process. The moisture is then removed from the body by freeze drying it. The final powder is sterile and 100% free of all bacteria and viruses. An accelerated composting process further reduces the mass and means that the finished product can generate and sustain life. The Cryomation process has 0% emissions (no mercury, dioxins or CO2). Unlike cremation, all of the body is returned (less the moisture) instead of approximately 2.5% of the body with Cremation and it can also be used as a natural compost material, able to sustain life. This process can be great as it also saves land use as well as having little environmental impact. t

CRYOMATION

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SPACE BURIAL This is more symbolic than the rest of the methods, instead of collecting all of the ashes or remains, only 1-7 grams of it is sent to outer space.

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CRYONICS Cryonics is the method of having a body frozen after death so as to predict the advances of science and in due time refreeze it when science advances to a point with the ability to do so. It is not nearly as common as the other forms of cremation but has been known to happen in the past. t

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INITIAL ANALYSIS

DEVELOPED BRIEF BRIEF OBJECTIVES

AREA REQUIREMENTS

To provide a space for funerary services allowing for 150-200 members at any given time.

Reception 5m2

To design a centre for the removal of dead bodies through the process of Cryomation (Promession).

Meeting Room 25m2

The architecture should exhibit a journey through the stages leading from life to death.

The building will consider the carbon footprint and environmental impact and aim to be as ‘green’ as possible.

The forms created within the space should be pure and contain a metaphorical e.g. the heirarchy.

External Waiting Area

50m2

Internal Waiting Area 100m2 Service Space (Main Hall)

200m2

Cryomation Area 50m2

The overall design of the site should endeavour to serve as an architectural promenade.

Rooms of Reflection (x3)

Materiality should mirror the stages of the promenade.

Landscaping Equipment 10m2

The site is to contain its own micro-climate and use the vegetation and building to its strengths (views out, sun orientation, wind direction etc.)

Storage (Urns, Coffins, Wreaths, Caskets etc.)

10m2

Parking is to be towards the rear of the site, hidden within the landscape of trees and grass, to look as natural as possible on the site.

Side Access (Staff)

2m2

Pre-ceremony cold store

10m2

Post-ceremony cold store

10m2

The entrance must be visually dramatic.

The design will take inspiration from the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) tree and be arranged on site in a specific order.

3m2

Exterior Columbarium 2000m2

The plantation graveyard needs to be held in close proximity to the main building.

Janitors Office

The Columbarium should not be a solid structure, but a group of sculptures rooted from the ground with urns inside.

Plant Room 15m2 W/C’s (5 Male, 5 Female)

5m2

25m2

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SITE

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CHRISTIANITY

A Christian burial is the burial of a deceased person with specifically Christian ecclesiastical rites; typically, in consecrated ground. Until recent times Christians generally objected to cremation, and practiced inhumation almost exclusively, but this opposition has weakened, and now vanished among Protestants. Catholics are now able to be cremated also, and this is rapidly becoming more common, but the Eastern Orthodox churches still mostly forbid it.

Today, cremation is an increasingly popular form of disposition of the deceased. This is true even in the Christian world, which for many years was opposed to cremation but has come to a greater acceptance of cremation over the past century.

ISLAM

Funerals in Islam (called Janazah in Arabic) follow fairly specific rites, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for burial of the body, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body, followed by salat (prayer). Cremation of the body is forbidden.

Burial rituals should normally take place as soon as possible and include: Bathing the dead body, Enshrouding dead body in a white cotton or linen cloth Funeral prayer Burial of the dead body in a grave.

Positioning the deceased so that when his face or body is turned to right side it is faced towards Mecca.

HINDUISM

Hindus cremate their dead, believing that the burning of a dead body signifies the release of the spirit and that the flames represent Brahma, the creator.

The funeral procession may pass places of significance to the deceased, such as a building or street. Prayers are said here and at the entrance to the crematorium.

The body is decorated with sandalwood, flowers, and garlands. Scriptures are read from the Vedas or Bhagavad Gita. The chief mourner, usually the eldest son or male of the family, will light some kindling and circle the body, praying for the well being of the departing soul.

After the cremation, the family may have a meal and offer prayers in their home. Mourners wash and change completely before re-entering the house after the funeral.

Percentage of Christians in the UK (2011 Census) 72.44% of the Christian population uses cremation as their preferred method of body disposal.

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PRECEDENT STUDIES

LAKEWOOD CEMETERY GARDEN MAUSOLEUM

Built into a hillside to preserve the pastoral quality of Lakewood Cemetery, the Garden Mausoleum quietly embraces the landscape while offering a contemplative interior experience.

The 24,000-square-foot, two-level Mausoleum includes six crypt rooms, six columbaria rooms, three family crypt rooms, committal room, and support spaces for 10,000 interments. The textural exterior features split-faced gray granite, white mosaic-marble trim, and bronze doors. Inside, light filters through skylights and lantern-windows as a diverse material palette--mahogany, marble, onyx, bronze and glass--interacts with the natural light within a serene setting.

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COMMUNAL CREMATORIUM

The crematorium in Ringsted, Denmark is designed with respect and consideration for the cremation process. In most crematoria, the chapel area is the main focus, while the cremation itself is confined to a back-of-house, functional area. Instead, at this communal crematorium, family and loved ones may follow the coffin all the way through the cremation process. The coffin is first carried from the hearse to a quiet and peaceful room for last goodbyes. From this quiet room, friends and relatives of the deceased have the option to follow the coffin and observe the cremation through a window into the furnace room. The 12-meter-tall furnace room is flooded with daylight; brick walls and granite floors are lit throughout the day by windows placed high on the East and West gables, which face the woods.

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HORNLI CEMETERY COMPETITION ENTRY

The proposal by Josep Ferrando, David Recio, and Rafael Aliende for the new crematorium in the Hörnli cemetery respects the identity of the protected existing building while establishing a void between it and the upper street level, an “entrance space”. This “empty-built” space between the two buildings, the existing one and the new one, becomes the entry square because of their connection in the underground level. This way, the new building appears as a visually independent and representative piece, isolated among the trees. The Building Department of the Canton of Basel, Switzerland has conducted an architectural competition for the construction of a new crematorium in the Hörnli cemetery. Their design protects the existing building by leaving a distance, in appearance, at the upper street level without disturbing it.

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HEIMOLEN CREMATORIUM

Built by Klass en Kaan Architecten and located in Belgium, this building sits on the south-west side of the cemetery, with the smaller crematorium on the north-east edge. A small lake separates them. The reception building is a long, low bar in the landscape, capped by a 100m x 40m flat roof that extends making a canopy to embrace funeral cortèges and mourners.

The heavy structure hovers, as though weightless, over the large external assembly space. From here, mourners gather in a simple, white-walled anteroom with a precisely framed view over the lake, before making their way to one of the building’s two chapels - although ‘chapel’ is perhaps a misnomer, since there is no obvious religious symbolism or paraphernalia.

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DESIGN STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

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Information obtained from www.deathlab.org 22

CRYOMATION INFORMATION

There is a variation of the urn in the form of a biodegradable cinerary urn that can be planted underground after the cryomation ceremony with the remains inside and act as a natural fertiliser. The two-piece container is composed of an organic bottom shell and a chemically inert, weathering ceramic cover. The bottom piece holds the cremated remains within its internal concavity, while the top part protects them from dispersion.

When planted, the growing plant gradually feeds itself from the biodegradable bottom shell, and the calcium-rich cremated remains. In due time, the protective ceramic cover is broken by the growing tree, which becomes the actual living monument to the loved one’s remembrance. This urn system ban either work with both cremated remains and remains from cryomation.

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The cherry blossom is a symbol of fragility. It was used to motivate the Japanese people, to stoke nationalism and militarism among the populace in the war. Even prior to the war, they were used to inspire “Japanese spirit,” as in the “Song of Young Japan,” exulting in “warriors” who were “ready like the myriad cherry blossoms to scatter.” A cherry blossom painted on the side of the planes symbolized the intensity and ephemerality of life. The government even encouraged the people to believe that the souls of downed warriors were reincarnated in the blossoms. There are over 200 kinds of cherry blossom trees.

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CHERRY BLOSSOMS

INITIAL REPRESENTATION

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SKETCH IDEAS

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BURIAL INFORMATION

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HEIRARCHAL MASSING

PROCESSION

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SITE STRATEGY

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GRID IMPLEMENTED ON SITE

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IDEA GENERATION

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CONCEPTUALISATION MODEL

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The initial idea was to introduce a building which was not monumental but something which has a commemorative aura.

I wanted to give the visitors and workers a ‘homely’ feel and introduce a journey through the site which is then carried on through the building. This would then loop into the garden of rememberance and columbarium, linking back to the entrance.

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MASSING DEVELOPMENT

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

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There were a few aspects lacking in this initial design. Firstly, the building was too large and would need resizing. Secondly, there is no direct passageway from the entrance to the seaside which was a driving force in my design. Also, the columns seem to be too thick and there is no connection between the inside and the outside space. In further development it is my aim to explore the connection between the interior and exterior and strategise size and positioning.

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FINAL DESIGN RESOLUTION

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SITE PLAN

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BUILDING PLAN

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SITE GRID

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PLAN COLUMN GRID

Much like the 15m grid on the site plan I implemented, I decided the building itself was to sit on a 2.5m wooden column grid. This grid spans from beginning to the end of the building. This would give enough maneuverability for groups of people, wheelchair users and also coffin bearers.

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ROOM OF REFLECTION

OUTDOOR REFLECTION AREA

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FINAL PROPOSAL

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VIDEO WALKTHROUGH

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGVFe04Pg8c

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

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SLATE SOLAR PANELS

The energy and heat from the sun is free and unlimited. Solar power is non-polluting. Solar power usage does not emit any greenhouse gases or harmful waste. Solar power is perfect and saving for power generation in remote areas or where the cost of expansion utility grid is high.

Solar power is versatile. It can be used for low-power purpose as well as larger ones - from hand-held calculators, watches, and solar powered garden lights to water heaters, cars, buildings and satellites.

Solar power system requires very little maintenance and last for many years.

Although I acknowledge the fact that integrating PV panels into tiles would cost more and may not be as effective, it is a a part of my design resolution.

There is also a slate mine situated close to Heysham as seen in the map above, Honsiter slate mine. This can be utilised whilst bringing in slate as it would use less fuel and resources.

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STRUCTURAL INSULATED ECO PANEL TECHNOLOGY

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SIPS Integrated Concrete and Isulation Panels can be used in wall and roof construction. They very versatile and can be built to roof specifications.

SIP frames can be designed and manufactured very quickly before being delivered and erected on site in days by our specialist SIP frame erectors.

In the UK and Ireland, demand for off-site construction methods such as SIPs is growing rapidly. This is being driven by factors such as, the availability of on-site skills being at an all time low and the need for organisations such as local authorities and housing associations to innovate when seeking Egan compliance.

The introduction of SIPs technology, through systems such as the Kingspan TEKregistered Building System is playing a major role in meeting this demand.

A very strong pre-insulated panelised structure Excellent Insulation values from thinner panel thicknesses U-Values as low as 0.13 Typical house erected in 2-3 weeks including roof Increased usable roof space High levels of air tightness (typically 2-4acph) Reduced cold bridging

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GLOW IN THE DARK PATH

‘Core Systems’ is a 100% permeable green alternative for paving and landscaping. ‘Core Glow’ is an eco-friendly pebble lighting system that requires no electricity and no power. The product is engineered with proprietary luminescent material and synthetic resins.

It has a lifespan of 20 years and glows 10-12 hours each night. When exposed to daylight or a light source the phosphorescent material becomes excited and will maintain an afterglow, initially very radiant, then slowly dissipating as dawn arrives. Made from synthetic resin, the product is water resistant compared to the common ordinary aluminate photo luminescent or afterglow pigments.

CORE Glow is non-radioactive, non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

CORE Glow requires no electricity and thus no wires, no power supply and no batteries. This saves natural resources and is another ecofriendly benefit.

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RAMMED EARTH RETAINING WALL

Rammed earth is a technique for building walls using natural raw materials such as earth, chalk, lime or gravel. Rammed-earth wall involves compressing a damp mixture of earth that has suitable proportions of sand, gravel and clay (sometimes with an added stabilizer) into an externally supported frame or mould, creating either a solid wall of earth or individual blocks.

The construction of an entire wall begins with a temporary frame, usually made of wood or plywood, to act as a mould for the desired shape and dimensions of each wall section. The form must be sturdy and well braced, and the two opposing wall faces clamped together, to prevent bulging or deformation from the large compression forces involved. Damp material is poured in to a depth of 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in) and then compacted to around 50% of its original height.

The material is compressed iteratively, in batches, gradually building the wall up to the top of the frame. Tamping was historically done by hand with a long ramming pole, and was very labourintensive; modern construction can be made less labour-intensive by employing pneumatically powered tampers.

These walls could also be used as an alternative to regular commodities such as the park bench as seen to the right.

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KALWALL TRANSLUCENT DAYLIGHTING SYSTEM

Kalwall is the most highly insulating, diffuse-light-transmitting system available. With insulating values up to and exceeding R-20 (.05 U), conductive winter heat loss is kept to a minimum. The thermal performance of Kalwall translucent window, skylight and curtainwall system replacements can result in over 500% more energy efficiency than insulated glass by reducing solar heat gain and saving on HVAC costs. Kalwall panels may be reused or refurbished.

The design of the Kalwall Clamp-tite framing system allows for removal of the entire window, curtainwall or skylight. These panel systems may then be installed in similar applications. A typical Kalwall system contains ± 20% post-consumer/pre-consumer recycled content, primarily in the aluminum extrusions used in fabricating the Kalwall panels and in the aluminum ClamptiteTM installation system. Structures Unlimited’s clearspan skylights and pool enclosures have an even greater recycled content, up to 30% or more, due to the aluminum box beam structure inherent to these systems.

Unlike traditional glazing material, Kalwall’s thermally broken technology all but eliminates undesirable thermal gain and loss. It also prevents condensation that builds up when exterior and interior temperatures vary. Kalwall’s unique translucent systems diffuse sunlight and transmit controlled daylighting into any building without shadows, glare or hotspots and without the need for external solar controls or internal shelves, blinds and/or curtains.

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GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP

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Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use pipes which are buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.

A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe, called a ground loop, which is buried in your garden.

Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year.

The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your home and the amount of heat you need. Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground, but need more space to be buried in. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead.

The benefits of ground source heat pumps: -Could lower your fuel bills, especially if you replace conventional electric heating -Could provide you with income through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) -Could lower home carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing -No fuel deliveries needed -Can heat your home as well as your water -Minimal maintenance required Unlike gas and oil boilers, heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods. During the winter they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won’t feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.

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MECHANICAL HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM

RADIANT HEATING Radiant heating is the method of intentionally using principles of radiant heat to transfer radiant enerfy from an emitting heat source to an object.

I hope to use this as a replacement for conventional convection heating which would ultimately reduce building energy costs and consumption,

HRV systems provide fresh air and improved climate control, while also saving energy by reducing heating (and cooling) requirements. They do this by replacing warm cool air with colder air from the outside or other rooms and vice versa when needed.

As building efficiency is improved with insulation and weather stripping, buildings are intentionally made more airtight, and consequently less well ventilated. Since all buildings require a source of fresh air, the need for HRVs has become obvious.

While opening a window does provide ventilation, the building’s heat and humidity will then be lost in the winter and gained in the summer, both of which are undesirable for the indoor climate and for energy efficiency, since the building’s HVAC systems must compensate. HRV introduces fresh air to a building and improves climate control, whilst promoting efficient energy use.

Radiant heating is the method of intentionally using principles of radiant heat to transfer radiant enerfy from an emitting heat source to an object.

I hope to use this as a replacement for conventional convection heating which would ultimately reduce building energy costs and consumption,

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IMPLEMENTED STRATEGIES

In hindsight, having too much glazing in the building may not be a good idea due to the potential heat loss. Also, cut and fill of the site would cost a lot of resources so an alternative may have to be put in place which limits resource consumption to get the task done.

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REFERENCES A/S, H. (2014). Communal Crematorium :: Henning Larsen Architects. Henninglarsen.com. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from http://www.henninglarsen.com/ projects/1000-1099/1046-communal-crematorium.aspx Angelfire.com, (2014). Mummification Process. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.angelfire.com/wi/egypt/mummy2.html Bodyworlds.com, (2010). Plastination. Retrieved 15 December 2014, from http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/plastination/idea_plastination.html Bored Panda, (2002). Solar-Powered Glowing Bicycle Path In Netherlands Inspired By Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from http://www. boredpanda.com/van-gogh-starry-night-glowing-bike-path-daan-roosegaarde/ Cryonics.org, (2010). Cryonics Institute. Retrieved 10 December 2014, from http://www.cryonics.org/ Deathlab.org, (2013). GSAPP | DeathLab. Retrieved 24 November 2014, from http://www.deathlab.org/research_disposition_promession.php Energy.gov, (2012). Radiant Heating. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/radiant-heating Eternal Reefs, (2011). Eternal Reefs » Living legacies that memorialize our loved ones. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://eternalreefs.com/ Furuto, A. (2012). New Crematorium in the Hörnli Cemetary Competition Entry / Josep Ferrando, David Recio, Rafael Aliende. ArchDaily. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.archdaily.com/307306/new-crematorium-in-the-hornli-cemetary-competition-entry-josep-ferrando-david-recio-rafael-aliende/ Greenhomebuilding.com, (2013). Green Home Building: Structural Concerns with Rammed Earth. Retrieved 25 November 2014, from http://www.greenhomebuilding. com/QandA/rammedearth/structural.htm Greenio.co.uk, (2014). Heat Pumps | Greenio. Retrieved 24 November 2014, from http://www.greenio.co.uk/heat-pumps/ Holder, N., & Paxton, J. (2013). Great British Community - Faith | The Great British Community. Greatbritishcommunity.org. Retrieved 15 January 2015, from http:// greatbritishcommunity.org/resources/faith/?gclid=CKCrn-uJlsMCFY_MtAod3HUA8w Irtl.co.uk, (2006). IRTL | Incinerator Replacement Technology. Retrieved 13 December 2014, from http://www.irtl.co.uk/ Kalwall.com, (2013). Kalwall - Translucent Daylighting Building Systems. Retrieved 22 November 2014, from http://www.kalwall.com/ Lakewoodcemetery.com, (2009). Mausoleum columbarium | Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis Minnesota. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http://www. lakewoodcemetery.com/Crematory_Garden_mausoleum.html Resomation.com, (2012). Alkaline Hydrolysis. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.resomation.com/

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Sipsecopanels.co.uk, (2013). SIPS - SIPs Eco Panels - UK Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) < Sips Eco Panels. Retrieved 22 November 2014, from https://sipsecopanels. co.uk/ Solarcrest.co.uk, (2012). MVHR Heat Recovery Ventilation MVHR. Retrieved 22 December 2013, from http://www.solarcrest.co.uk/heat-recovery-ventilation. asp?gclid=CPWd7rGwlsMCFeLItAodSSEAjw Solexenergy.co.uk, (2007). Solex Energy Ltd. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from http://www.solexenergy.co.uk/ Spaceburialservices.net, (2012). Space Burial. Retrieved 15 December 2014, from http://www.spaceburialservices.net/

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A DEVELOPED DESIGN STRATEGY