Loenen Pavilion / KAAN Architecten

Curated by Paula Pintos
MEMORIAL CENTER, PAVILION • LOENEN, THE NETHERLANDS
Architects : KAAN Architecten
Area : 583 m²
Year : 2020
Photographs : Simone Bossi
Project Team : Alice Colombo, Sebastian van Damme, Paolo Faleschini, Raluca Firicel, Michael Geensen, Nicki van Loon
Clients : The Netherlands War Graves Foundation, Nationale Veteranenbegraafplaats Loenen
Main Contractor : Rots Bouw, Aalten
Construction Manager : Antea Group, Capelle aan den Ijssel
Construction Advisor : Pieters Bouwtechniek, Delft
Technical Installations Advisor, Physics, Fire Control, Acoustics : DGMR, The Hague
Building Costs Advisor : B3 bouwadviseurs, Wassenaar
Exhibition Design : Tinker, Utrecht
Av Design : Nieuwenhuis AV, Apeldoorn
Landscape Design : Karres en Brands, Hilversum
Landscape Contractor : Van de Haar Groep, Wekerom
Project Furniture : Workshop of Wonders, Utrecht
City : Loenen
Country : The Netherlands

Textual content description offered by the architects. KAAN Architecten was commissioned by the Netherlands Warfare Graves Basis (Oorlogsgravenstichting) to design a multifunctional building commemorating the Dutch victims in the course of the Second World Warfare and more moderen worldwide conflicts, in Loenen close to Apeldoorn. Harmoniously mixing with the encircling forest, the building is a layered and connecting aspect between the present Loenen Nationwide Warfare Cemetery and the brand new Nationwide Veterans Cemetery.

The Loenen Nationwide Warfare Cemetery web site, one of many two situated on Dutch territory, was designed by panorama architect Daniel Haspels (1894-1954) shortly after the Second World Warfare, reflecting the panorama of the realm with its clusters of wispy bushes that honour the peaceable atmosphere and produce consolation to the bereaved. KAAN Architecten opted to attract the bushes and building collectively, letting the bushes dictate the structure’s kind, to attain a fusion of architecture and landscaped nature.

The pavilion, with its 52 x 19-meter footprint, stretches together with one of many 5 axes which might be the muse of the location, like a horizontal white line settled amidst slender birch and pine bushes. Seen from above, it’s located between two stretches of woods, flanked by two forest rooms envisioned by panorama architects Karres en Manufacturers. The pavilion was stored as slender as attainable to protect a most variety of bushes between the 2 open areas, its horizontality gently adopts Haspels’ philosophy by avoiding vertical components, which might disrupt the calming pure ambiance. Because of this, the Warfare Cemetery’s gravestones are mendacity flat on the grass.

The serene ambiance and lack of intrusiveness have been achieved by delicate architectural gestures, proposing an intimate but open and welcoming building; obscured by tree trunks but in clear view. Strategically positioned, pure stone-clad partitions stretching from ground to ceiling intensify the alternation between open and closed. Some partitions have benches protruding in the identical pure stone because the wall and dealing with the forest to supply guests locations to relaxation and ponder. Atop the partitions lies the roof – not merely as a canopy for a field, however a horizontal wall with perforations that expose the treetops and open skies. By masterfully directing the sightlines inward, outward, and thru, KAAN Architecten maintained the delicate aura of sunshine and tranquillity already imbued within the Nationwide Warfare Cemetery.

Every little thing inside the area of the pavilion is said to remembrance and commemoration. Corridors have been averted so the pavilion might stay slender and capabilities stream logically into each other. There may be an auditorium devoted to assemblies and funeral providers for the close by Nationwide Veterans Cemetery, opening as much as a multi-purpose room serving each as exhibition and knowledge area and eventually a condolences space. For occasions and large-scale ceremonies, the auditorium and exhibition area may be merged right into a single corridor, freed from obstacles.

The varied areas every have their very own identification and lookouts. The condolences space provides views of two reverse sides, every oriented in direction of a forest room: one for veteran burials and one for the Warfare Cemetery. In the meantime, the auditorium appears out over the sightline ending on the cross in the course of the Warfare Cemetery. The attention is guided via a giant window that appears like a big opening within the pavilion relatively than an ordinary window. Excessive ceilings and enormous roof spans guarantee flexibility and contribute to an open sense of area.

The general public nature of the pavilion, with an meeting capability of as much as 200 folks, required an optimally balanced indoor local weather. Needed air flow and ground heating methods to attain thermal consolation have been realized avoiding any seen installations. By assembling a design staff of complementary disciplines, even earlier than the design work started, a excessive diploma of sustainability and a minimal environmental impression was achieved.

Gently indifferent of any spiritual connotations, the pavilion conveys a chilled pure ambiance to its interiors, because of the unconventional open spatial configuration, the plentiful pure gentle, and the elegant selection of supplies. The distinguished but refined Loenen Pavilion architecturally enriches the Nationwide Warfare Cemetery, offering a reinvigorated place of honour and comfort, whereas permitting the forest to be the information.

Robinson Adey

Related Posts