Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum
CLIENT
Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
SITE
Fawkner Memorial Park
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The new GMCT mausoleum celebrates a centuries old tradition of arranging places for burial into a circle. The mausoleum is designed to be open and accessible from eight different points of the compass and these axes provide dramatic framed landscape views from within the new central courtyard and from around the outside perimeter of the building.
The mausoleum features an integrated colour palette using natural materials that give a comforting and welcoming atmosphere.
Memorial crypts are individualized using bands of contrasting coloured polished granite. Further choice of burial place is enhanced by crypts that either face the internal courtyard or look out to the surrounding cemetery landscape.
Architectural elements that integrate the building include the perforated stainless steel “curtains” that shelter the inner and outer galleries and also a solid timber lined ceiling and feature walls to the main entry area.
The mausoleum design is strongly related to the Harmer Architecture designed Holy Angels Mausoleum nearby, and most particularly the rear section of the Chapel of St. Gabriel which also features a circular layout and internal courtyard.
The new mausoleum is therefore a link to the ongoing transformation of Fawkner Memorial Park.
The new Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum at Fawkner Memorial Park was formally opened by the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, his Grace, The Most Reverend Denis Hart on Friday April the 7th 2017.
Images by Trevor Mein
Publications
Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018 (Urban.com.au)
“As a profession it’s important we continue to challenge the norm, and allow architectural interventions to evolve and create new cultural relationships and understandings.
Architecture is something that should be enjoyed and add value to the public realm, and the mausoleum does just that. The mausoleum acts as a pavilion, creating a welcoming and open space that families can visit and honour the passing of a relative, whilst allowing for life to be celebrated and remembered in a sensitive and meaningful way.”
Amy Muir | AIA Victorian Chapter President
“Design ambitions for our Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum was to create a building that was classic and enduring, yet bold and innovative. We wanted to provide families with a beautiful and high quality environment – a fitting tribute and final resting place for loved ones.”
Jacqui Weatherill | CEO of The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT)
Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum
(Arch Daily)
Pictured above at the opening are from left Left to right The Most Reverend Denis Hart, Hon Gabrielle Williams MP Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Geoff Mabbett Chair of the GMCT Trust, and Jacqui Weatherill, CEO of the GMCT Trust, Rev. Vito Pegolo CS.
