In the quiet, verdant setting of Bateman, Western Australia, a remarkable architectural creation awaits discovery. The St Thomas More Columbarium, designed by Simon Pendal Architect, is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and a thoughtful approach to civic architecture. This article delves into the intricacies of this project, exploring its design, symbolism, and the thoughtful considerations that make it a standout in the architectural landscape.
A Restful Haven
The brief for this project was deceptively simple: to create a place of repose for the interment of ashes, offering space for quiet reflection and prayer. However, the challenge lay in designing a structure that would complement the existing St Thomas More Bateman Parish Catholic Church without being a mere copycat. The architect, Simon Pendal, was tasked with creating a modesty that would enhance the urban composition rather than compete with it.
Pendal's solution is a masterpiece of simplicity and legibility. Three stone "towers" form a porous enclosure, reminiscent of ancient ruins or a walled garden. This design invites both human occupancy and the presence of nature, creating a harmonious blend of the sacred and the natural.
A Pinwheel of Reflection
The arrangement of the towers is a clever play on geometry. They form a pinwheel, offering private and discrete entries to each tower from a central brick terrace. This design choice is not random; it adheres to the orthogonal grid of the church buildings and is set at the exact midpoint of the rise. The result is a composition that appears initially random but is, in fact, a precise and thoughtful arrangement.
A Beautifully Crude Language
The towers are constructed from local limestone block with a struck-flush joint, giving them a beautifully crude and singular architectural language. The soft golden color of the limestone complements the brickwork of the church, creating a harmonious relationship between the new and the old. The austerity of the design is reminiscent of the Church of Santa Maria in Portugal by Alvaro Siza and the ossuary at the San Cataldo Cemetery outside Modena, Italy, by Aldo Rossi.
A Subtle Ledge of Symbolism
The only ornamentation on the facades is a subtle ledge applied to the cross-section of three walls. This shelf datum is set at a height relational to a human figure and ties the towers together visually. Its profile evokes the bird ledges seen in dovecotes, a nod to the historical use of columbaria as structures for housing doves and pigeons.
A Geometry of Significance
Geometries within the towers are strictly controlled by the architect. A square plan is hollowed out by an octagonal-shaped volume, which is open to the sky. This geometry refers to the significance of the eighth day in Christianity, symbolizing new creation and eternal life. The 45-degree angle is also found in the adjacent church, with its nave set on the diagonal of its square plan, creating a subtle yet powerful connection between the two structures.
A Stool of Reflection
A single piece of furniture occupies the center of each columbarium. Fashioned from the trunk of a spotted gum, the stool extends an invitation to sit and linger, establishing an atmosphere of mindful and personal reflection. Its pentagonal shape is a reference to the five wounds of Christ, symbolizing sacrifice and love.
A Matrix of Social Interment
The internal walls of the columbaria are an exercise in careful stone masonry. A matrix of small funerary-urn niches within each expresses a social and non-hierarchical interment. The unadorned surfaces of the top of these walls register sunlight and the color of the sky above, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere.
A Dance of Light and Shadow
Exiting the towers back into the enclosed garden provides a contrast between dark and light, the raw and the refined, death and life. The canopies of peppermint and almond trees moderate the Western Australian sunlight, and their fine branch forms are cast onto the monumental walls of the towers, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow.
A Careful Evaluation of Place
The St Thomas More Columbarium is more than just a place of interment; it is a thoughtful evaluation of place and the role of architecture in enhancing the human experience. As architects, we must strive to create spaces that are not only functional but also meaningful and beautiful. This project is a shining example of how careful consideration of the site, the community, and the memories of the interred can result in a truly remarkable architectural creation.
In my opinion, the St Thomas More Columbarium is a masterpiece of thoughtful design and a testament to the power of architecture to enhance the human experience. It is a place of repose, reflection, and reverence, where the sacred and the natural come together in perfect harmony. As we move forward in our profession, let us strive to create spaces that are not only functional but also meaningful and beautiful, just as Simon Pendal Architect has done with this remarkable creation.
