Beukenhof Auditorium

The Beukenhof auditorium and crematorium as envisioned by Asymptote is an architectural work that provides the city of Schiedam and its neighboring areas not only with a much needed new and modern facility but also with a new cultural building to be inserted into the city’s urban fabric and lush environs. The abstract and contemporary quality of the architectural design celebrates the many diverse religions and cultures of the region while addressing the unique traditions, rituals and sensibilities of the different faiths that the building will accommodate. The fluid and pristine nature of the building’s envelope merges the exterior architectural form with the natural surroundings. The architecture is experienced in harmony with the elegant tree-lined canals and the serene landscape that sit alongside the building. These aspects of the physical environment are an inspirational backdrop that works in tandem with the atmospheric quality of the building to create a poetic work that embraces nature and life.

Asymptote’s architecture pays homage to the great traditions of religious architecture, from churches and chapels to grand halls, temples and shrines. The enfolding of diverse traditions and aesthetics contributes to this building’s physical presence and architectural elegance. The meandering form of the sculptural exterior is reflected within as smooth surfaces that delineate spaces of movement and worship. A delicate pattern of apertures in the roof creates interiors bathed in diffused and modulated light. The various sounds and the play of light produced by water flowing along the building surfaces and collecting in adjacent pools imbues the building with a powerful but serene atmosphere. These elements complement the physical form of the building and create a meaningful and unique addition to the architecture of Schiedam.

The Beukenhof auditorium and crematorium is comprised of an architecture that is timeless, one that will serve the commemoration, celebration and remembrance of family, friends and members of the community today and well into the future. As with many timeless works of architecture, it is an open-ended form of expression that can also be a place to enjoy musical performances, art exhibitions, poetry readings and other cultural events. This building therefore becomes part of the collective imagination and a vital part of the community in its spiritual, cultural and artistic life.