School Of
Architecture

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Columbarium Mořice

Project URL
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
artistic output, scientific output, realization, publication, interfaculty cooperation, interuniversity cooperation, international, workshop, exhibition, municipality cooperation, research, conference, Engaged Architecture

The columbarium in the town of Mořice is a multifunctional project initiated by Brno University of Technology as part of the FA BUT faculty development project "Earth for People: Ecological and Economically Friendly Community Buildings Made of Earth." It is the result of a collaboration between the university, the town of Morice, the non-profit organization "Earthen Architecture Association," and volunteers from both the university and the general public. This comprehensive project encompasses architectural design, construction planning, the building's actual construction, a series of workshops, summer schools, professional technical lectures, and sociological aspects related to community involvement in constructing a rammed earth building.

The design of the columbarium is the work of student Jan Albert Peřina, supervised by architect Svatopluk Sládeček, with technical and administrative support from Zdeněk Vejpustek and Jan Muller. The construction was carried out during various workshops at FA BUT in 2022 and 2023, with technological guidance provided by Rowland Keable from Great Britain (EBUKI). Apart from FA VUT, the municipality of Morice and other entities supported the construction. The columbarium, made of rammed earth, measures 6.5 meters in length, 1 meter in width, and 2.5 meters in height. It comprises three rows, each accommodating 15 wooden boxes on both sides, each capable of holding 1-4 urns. Each box is accompanied by its own enclosed conical oval space for a candle. The structure features a wooden flat roof with a single rainwater spout on one of the shorter sides. The choice of rammed earth for construction was driven by several reasons, including its ability to develop a weathered "patina" over time, aging in harmony with the community it serves. The project's progress, involvement of volunteers from diverse backgrounds, use of natural materials, and the application of historicizing techniques were extensively covered by Czech Radio, television, and regional press, among others.