We live in a world of manifest phenomena. Yet, since the beginning of time, man has intuitively sensed the existence of another world: a nonmanifest world whose presence underlies — and makes endurable — the one he experiences every day. The principal vehicles through which we explore and communicate our notions of this nonmanifest world are religion, philosophy, and the arts. Like these, architecture too is generated by mythic beliefs, expressing the presence of a reality more profound than the manifest world in which it exists…. The sacred is neither public nor private, though it qualifies both immeasurably by engaging the mythic dimensions inherent in the nonmanifest. Mankind has always been fascinated by the invisible, the unknown, the unknowable. (Charles Correa, The Public, the Private and the Sacred, 1989)
38
Bearing in mind the richness and diversity of rituals and beliefs, the design is meant to provide a calm environment for each family to perform their rituals. The building is a humble and spacious setting using simple natural materials in well-crafted details to provide not only durability but also a serene and dignified atmosphere inspired by the traditional open ground, river bank and pavilion setting. Two Large pavilions provide space for the last rites to be performed, often in attendance of a large number of mourners. The ritual pavilions in a river bed like garden setting provide space for the rituals on the day subsequent to the cremation.
Families reach this garden through a smaller portal, collect the ashes at a counter in the administrative building and then proceed to the smaller pavilions for rituals. The project is an effort to dignify public purpose places that are otherwise put together through a default mode of building.
Crematorium at Coimbatore MANCINI Team: Niels Schoenfelder, Bharath Ram K., J. Thamizharima