Ismaili Funeral Pavilion
2027
The aim of the project is to create a dignified and beautiful woodland burial site, complete with a funeral pavilion, for the Ismaili community.
Nestled deep within the site, the pavilion is to be located at the intersection of a new tree-lined access path and a clearing within a woodland. The woodland will emerge through extensive tree-planting including broad-leaved and fast-growing native species. The proposed building has been designed to serve both practical and spiritual needs, facilitating the Ismaili funeral rites whilst respecting and enhancing the immediate natural landscape setting.
The pavilion is envisioned as a single-storey barn structure flanked by two low, flat-roofed volumes. The central barn, which contains the main hall, features a glulam timber portal frame that supports a pitched, thatched roof. The roof extends over the entrance, creating a sheltered drop-off area for mourners. The south-western wing will accommodate spaces for funeral attendees, while the north-eastern wing will house areas for the care of the deceased and other support functions. Natural materials like timber and thatch, combined with newly planted grasses, shrubs, and trees, will help the pavilion blend seamlessly into its bucolic woodland setting.