Zillebeke cemetery expansion

The design for the expansion of the cemetery in Zillebeke possesses a strong organic design that creates a sense of security. This security is created by beech hedges 2 meters high. Inside this space where the burial plots are located, the grieving or commemorating visitor finds the necessary shelter from wind and can feel alone for a moment with his deceased loved one in complete security. Insight from the landscape, residential neighborhoods, … is avoided in these. This necessary security is harmoniously balanced in the design with the integrated openness. The design possesses both an introverted and an extroverted character. This essential openness, which should provide a sense of release, is located on the outside of the beech hedges, and is visually enhanced by the haha, the retaining wall that lifts the cemetery slightly from its surrounding wet meadowland, as it were. Thus, in addition to its introverted and extroverted characteristics, the cemetery acquires a transcendental atmosphere. The openness, the transition to the mythical Elysian Fields, is applied very strongly in the design as the spreading meadow faces the open meadow landscape. By integrating this myth, the design immediately acquires a symbolic value in addition to its functional, ecological, landscape and psychological values. The design for this expansion of the cemetery in Zillebeke possesses artistic-creative value in addition to its essential socioeconomic function. This organic functional quality coupled with a story of comforting beauty will result in this cemetery acquiring its own identity.

In the margin of the story of this wonderful project, it must be said that in the last instance the cemetery was only 1/3 done. The subdivision drive and an associated water buffer called a halt to the full realization of this project. On the draft plan, you can see the original vision that unfortunately will never be implemented in its entirety.