The St Thomas More Columbarium, a new civic ensemble in Western Australia, is a testament to thoughtful architecture and careful consideration of its surroundings. Designed by Simon Pendal Architect, this columbarium is more than just a resting place for ashes; it's a place of reflection, a space that enhances the landscape and complements the existing church. The design process began with a simple brief: create a restful space that allows for the interment of ashes, provides space for quiet reflection and prayer, improves the landscape setting, and responds to the design of the church without being a copy of the existing building. This project is a prime example of how architecture can be both functional and beautiful, and how it can create a sense of community and connection. The columbarium's design is inspired by ancient ruins and walled gardens, with three stone "towers" forming a porous enclosure. This arrangement is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, providing private and discrete entries to each tower from a central brick terrace. The towers are identical, with a beautifully crude and singular architectural language made predominantly of a local limestone block. The soft golden colour of the limestone is simpatico with the brickwork of the church, and the towers have the austerity of the Church of Santa Maria in Portugal by Alvaro Siza. The only ornamentation evident on the facades is a subtle ledge applied to the cross section of three walls, which ties the towers together visually and evokes the bird ledges seen in dovecotes. The internal walls of the columbaria are an exercise in careful stone masonry, with a matrix of small funerary-urn niches within each expressing a social and non-hierarchical interment. The unadorned surfaces of the top of these walls register sunlight and the colour of the sky above, creating a cool and shady atmosphere that is otherworldly when the door is closed. The columbarium also features a single piece of furniture, a stool crafted from the trunk of a spotted gum, which extends an invitation to sit and linger, establishing an atmosphere of mindful and personal reflection. The design of the columbarium is not just about aesthetics and functionality; it's also about the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. The canopies of peppermint and almond trees moderate the Western Australian sunlight, and their fine branch forms are cast onto the monumental walls of the towers that dance between them. This project is a testament to the critical work of architects who practise with care for people and place, and it is both moving and reassuring to witness the thoughtful and intentional design process that has gone into this project. The columbarium is a space that not only serves its intended purpose but also enhances the surrounding landscape and creates a sense of community and connection. It is a space that invites reflection, prayer, and a connection to the natural world, and it is a testament to the power of thoughtful architecture.
