Mourning House
This is a project with very strong emotional implications. It was necessary to understand the mood of the user, who at such this moment would not care very much for an aesthetical analysis of any place, and at the same time create a space that could encourage a spiritual mood, for this the reference was to ancient buildings that were designed for this purpose, as the Egyptian Mastabas or some Mayan buildings in Palenque.
Religious rules and buildings codes in the Jewish Religion are very strict for this kind of places, and a group of scholars has assessed trough all of the process.
A project of this nature must encourage introspection and peaceful visual harmony through a discrete use of materials and lighting. The construction is located in a residential area and being planned as an isolated construction from the surroundings, an indoor illuminated yard was built. The building façade, interior walls and floors are cladded with Grissal flamed granite.
The building welcomes the visitor with a 6´4 wide and 30´ high triangular shaped wooden door which leads to an access tunnel in the same shape, creating a solemn atmosphere as you enter. This darkening experience at the entrance ends when the hallway opens to a large, double height granite hall illuminated by the northern light coming from the indoor courtyard with a tall Dracaena at the center and a symbolical abstract sculpture by artist Saul Kaminer as the only artwork piece for decoration.
No furniture was used inside this place, only a floating bench surrounding the room that is made out of the same wood used in all the building. It also serves to hide all of the air conditioning, speakers and recessed lighting, which adds a dramatical touch. This way the room shows no added ornament but the light and shades playing on the granite volumes. The ceiling is made of dark Cumaru wood and floats without touching any wall and a skylight puts a highlight on this detail.
