Basic program
    The component parts of the project consist of mausoleum units, a chapel, and a garden. The mausoleum is composed of wall crypts units for casketed remains, cremation niches, family memorial units, and associated support spaces. The chapel is a non-denominational space suitable for funeral services, private events, community programs and activities for the organization. The garden is an outdoor space with in-ground interments, planted borders, and statuary.

Solution – Site
    The project site sits at a T intersection, with the building aligned to the centerline of the road. The location serves to interrupt existing sightlines from the existing developed parts of the cemetery. This initial approach introduces visitors to the Garden and Heritage Mausoleum side of the project. The lower pediment brings the scale of the building down to a more pedestrian level while the steeple marks the building as a destination point. At the center of the garden is a larger than life bronze casting of Henry Kitson’s “Minuteman” statue. Visitors who continue around the block to the Chapel side of the project will experience the full height of the building and the portico leading to the Patriots Chapel.

Solution – Building
    In keeping with other structures in the cemetery, the new design is a modernized version of the Federalist style, featuring red brick exteriors, white accents, columns and pediments. The mausoleum sanctuaries are open air corridors with openings that frame views into the garden and adjacent cemetery property and trees on the property line. The orientation also takes advantage of prevailing breezes that flow through the site in the afternoons. The corridors feature light wells that reflect light into the space and onto the marble and granite wall panels. The changing position of the sun creates a constantly changing play of colors, light and shadow. In the central corridor, in place of the open the light well, is a drop ceiling with backlit onyx panels.
    Inside the chapel, high ceilings create an impressive space filled with natural light from large clerestory windows. Custom pendants and sconces along with neutral tones warm the space. The chancel sits at the center of the building. A 15-foot wide marble medallion marks the point on the floor, while a dome spanning 34 feet echoes its position above. A sleek and modern chandelier bridges the two elements. The wall of the chancel is un-embellished, allowing full flexibility in creating the ideal backdrop for any event.