Value Added Mausoleum Design

The Pyramids, The Catacombs, and The Taj Mahal are immediately recognizable names of mausolea.While all are monuments to individuals of means and power, they represent a strong human desire to be memorialized in a unique and lasting way.

The mausoleum gets its name from King Mausolus who was encrypted in a grand structure by his queen. As the 19th century church cemeteries filled, community mausolea became popular. Large community cemeteries, low land costs, and, I suspect, the great depression slowed the development of the mausoleum for the average person. 

Why build a mausoleum?

The years after World War II presented economic growth and the mausoleum reflected society in the sense that mausolea were void of detail and character. The impression one got of the modern mausoleum was that of a utility storage facility.The population increases after the war created vast new economic opportunities along with an increased devaluation of the individual.We are seeing a trend toward the creation of unique and dignified memorials for the consumer.The public wants to be memorialized in a way that honors the individually unique way they lived.They not only want this for their personal memorial, but also for the community for which they will be permanently associated. 

Sound functional reasons to build a mausoleum to build a mausoleum are as follows:

1.Land Values or Land Shortage: Mausolea provide higher densities than traditional in-ground burial.

2.Site Characteristics and weather: mausolea can be built on rocky ground, in low areas, on steep slopes or where

seasonal freezing makes in-ground burial difficult.

3.Low Maintenance: Mausolea reduce seasonal grounds care. 

Meeting functional needs only seems efficient from a management view, however the acceptance of pure efficiency by the public is not probable.

Planning

The more you know, the better. Research will answer many key questions that come up during design and construction such as:

1.why do you need a mausoleum?

2.What is the demand for mausoleum space in your area?

3.How will you achieve a design for your mausoleum?

4.What type of building do you need? Chapel, garden, feature, property line or hillside.

5.Can the building be built under your local zoning laws?

6.What types of crypts would be preferred in your area? Side by side or true companion.

When you begin to assemble the team to execute your idea, your research will pay off in knowing what will fit your needs and visions.

Value added design

Mausolea re built from concrete, steel and stone. Beyond that, site sensitive design, aesthetics and unique features, if done well, are called “value added”. A well-designed and well-placed mausoleum has a positive effect on the entire property in these ways:

1.FEATURE- the building is placed to be a visually interesting attraction.

2.THEME- a mausoleum can create a theme for an entire cemetery or reinforce an existing theme.

3.Focal point- a mausoleum visible from many parts of a cemetery becomes a familiar point of reference.

4.Unique-a mausoleum in this category not only fulfills the previous three characteristics, but also is a work of art in such a way that the public visits it for inspiration, meditation or to experience something unique that can not be found in everyday life. Over population, fast food, TV and standardized this and that all leave us with a desire to leave something unique that symbolizes the individual value of our lives. Words do not express the idea of value added as well as a case study (or two).

Tales from two crypts

Oaklawn Cemetery in Baltimore Maryland is a beautiful property with views toward a historic creek, which runs through it. Their present mausolea are scattered along the creek’s edge.In order that the existing mausolea and the cemetery be unified, the owner specified that a limited site near thephysical center of the cemetery be utilized. The area to be used was bounded by the creek, two roads and the existing mausoleums.Since much of the cemetery is higher than the site, the site can be seen from all sides and from above. This meant there could be no “back” to the building and that the roof had to be interesting to look at.Through many sketches we evolved several basic and dramatic shapes such as a pyramid main roof, several smaller domes over three hexagonal columbariums.The columbariums also act as entrance foyers to the central space.A wood beam and deck pyramid topped by a skylight joins four crypt cores.The variety of geometric shapes and colors gives visual interest to the roof area.Arched garden crypt areas rhythmically measure the facades. The pencil and color sketches shown here detail the development of the design. The design visually brings together the various structures of the cemetery and provides a place of reflection where services can be held in all types of weather. After the design was approved, an artist rendering was executed.

St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Fort Thomas Kentucky needed a chapel mausoleum.St. Stephen’s cemetery differed from Oaklawn in that they had no need to create an architectural identity with their new structure.They have a very beautiful old chapel on site.The new chapel mausoleum had to be compatible with the old and have a character of its own.The site chosen for it was on the highest part of the cemetery, visible from most of the property and far beyond. The mausoleum evolved in sketches shown here from a simple plan with two crypt cores and a facade of natural stone. A carillon tower and covered entrance was added during the design phase giving the building the comfortable feel of an old rural church.The tower/steeple is visible from most parts of the cemetery and becomes a landmark.The music from the tower will create a rich backdrop to the normal activities of St. Stephen’s. An artist rendering of the final design is shown here.

Construction

Selecting a contractor is a very complex process, however some key issues conclude:

1 Is the contractor bondable?

A performance bond is basically a form of insurance where the bonding company insures that your project will be completed should the contractor default. A bond my not be required, however, if a contractor is bondable, it shows financial stability.

2. Does the contractor have all the required insurance?

The contractor having proper insurance (builders risk, all risk, etc.) limits the exposure the cemetery takes to risk from construction activities to which the cemetery is not normally exposed.

3. Does the contractor have his own crews?

A contractor who has his own crews can control the quality and timeliness of the project.

These construction photos are of the projects listed in the case studies. They represent work that is on going. In several months we will have a follow up on the two projects and how they turn out.