The Architecture of Death
Typically we try and stay away from them, but about once a year we end up at a big box store for all that stuff you just can’t get at your favorite boutique grocery store. So there we were, rounding the corner of bulk pet food, passing the film drop-off counter, approaching printers and home electronics when out of nowhere appeared the Universal Casket booth.
Casket models range from $800 to $1,100. For another two-hundred bucks you can upgrade to the deluxe model which offers 18 gauge steel, a premium crepe interior and an adjustable bed mattress. Across the top of the booth were sepia prints of the elderly being comforted with the terms: “NON-EMOTIONAL, NON-THREATING, INFORMED, AFFORDABLE”.
Each casket displays gratuitous curves and flutes at every opportunity. Ornate faux-chrome swooping handles flank the sides of the high-gloss boxes. Elaborate icons glob onto each corner, taking their design queues from a combination of religious emblems and gumball machine jewelry.
To put it mildly, we were terrified. We could spend our entire productive lives dedicated to good design and architecture and still end up in one of these, without the right planning. How convenient it would be for some distant relative, not even born yet, to pick out a custom casket for you while stocking up on paper towels and Otter-pops. As the last expression of design in ones life we’re going to do everything in our power to avoid such a catastrophe.
So, to bring this back around to design we’re announcing the first BUILDblog design charette. The Architecture of Death Design Charette is open to anyone and everyone. You can send in your own design or simply point us in the direction of a design you admire. The designs can be of caskets, urns, headstones, or whatever else seems like an appropriate way for the design-conscious to kick the bucket. There is one requirement: the design solution has to be modern; it must be designed with materials and methods of our current time. Send in a napkin sketch, a rendering, a written idea, a web link – whatever best illustrates the concept. We’ll round-up all the ideas and post them for everyone to see in a couple weeks. The author of the best concept (decided by team BUILD) will grab themselves a gift certificate at Peter Miller Books.
By gdesign, November 25, 2008 @ 9:36 am
I avoid that corner of Costco as well. I have always liked Maximal design’s Cardboard cremation coffin, Soul Ash Solace since I came across it on a blog in college. I think it’s great in concept and form. Modern, ecological, and pretty darn good looking. I just couldn’t imagine not going out in style.
By Keyser, November 25, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
I’m debating whether or not it would be considered “modern” but Le Corbusier’s tomb in Cap-Martin, France has always been an inspiring design:
http://tenplusone.inax.co.jp/project/pics2004/ws/en/ws_e_uu031.html
By mike, November 25, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
It is hard to top cesar portela’s cemetery in Galicia, ES.
http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5429
it’s also really hard to beat axel schultes’ treptow kematorium, in berlin
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Krematorium+Treptow+
By Anonymous, November 25, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Its an obvious one, but I’ll go ahead and nominate Carlo Scarpa’s Brion Cemetary as a great example. Also his personal gravestone is nice.
By ts, November 25, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
I highly recommend a trip to the Capilano View Cemetery (I think this is the correct one) in Vancouver BC. While not completely modern, the architects designed a series of naturalistic stone walls that hold cremated remains.
But there are also do it yourselfers that are intriguing. I guess you’d never be up the creek without a paddle with this one. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CHL67G/?tag=the004-20&creative=380337&creativeASIN=B001CHL67G&linkCode=asn
By Gus, November 25, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Although intended as more of a joke, the BBC came out with the “Top Ten Crazy Coffins” article a while back. They actually featured some thought provoking concepts like the sitting bench coffin and kite urn
By mike, November 25, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
ts the arch. for the capilano view cem. is pechet et robb.
they’ve done a number of cemeteries, actually. or parts of them.
By mobius, November 25, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Check out the cocoon by designer Andreas Spiegel.
By knudsen, November 25, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
You guys are always touting the Scandinavians for their superior design – why would coffin design be any different? PP Møbler is experimenting with a rather handsome model .
By buildllc, November 25, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
We came across the coffin table . It’s a fascinating idea to integrate your future coffin into your daily life and designer Charles Constantine has done a nice job with it.
By Richter, November 26, 2008 @ 8:58 am
The idea of burying your entire body in a big box, regardless of what the box looks like, seems more and more ridiculous the further along in civilization we get. I like the Shell by Lots Design. The paper shell dissolves in water over time.
By Les Fitzpatrick, November 26, 2008 @ 10:13 am
Where might one send a design idea to?
By Rebecca Teagarden, November 26, 2008 @ 11:08 am
OK, the in-store display is a real show-stopper, however, do not miss my all-time favorite: the (basically) chinese takeout box for ashes! But it’s not all bad, it’s silk and only $49! A deal on dyin’. Check it out here:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11043176&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|20595|20949&N=4000796&Mo=12&pos=1&No=5&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=20949&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC1423-Cat20595&topnav=
By Rebecca Teagarden, November 26, 2008 @ 11:09 am
uh, how do you make a hyper link?
By buildllc, November 26, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Wow everybody – great ideas and designs, we’re not nearly so afraid of dying now.
Les – you can email designs to avl@buildllc.com
Becky – the hyperlinks are sort of a pain in the arse. I’ll email you a sentence of code that will allow you to get on board the hyperlink train.
By Ian, November 27, 2008 @ 9:06 am
You guys should check out what Greg Lundgren is doing at Lundgren Monuments. He is making a serious effort to design and get other artists/ designers to address this industry.
http://www.lundgrenmonuments.com
By Chase Jarvis, December 4, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Drat – somebody just beat me to it. Lundgren is a pal of mine and his stuff is amazing. Showroom on Capitol Hill in Seattle.
http://www.lundgrenmonuments.com/
Tops.