Clay that Connects: Architects from Faculty of Architecture BUT built an Unconventional Columbarium in Mořice

Architects build unique columbarium using traditional rammed earth technique

Architects from the Faculty of Architecture at Brno University of Technology (FA VUT) built an unconventional double-sided columbarium at the cemetery in Mořice together with the municipality and volunteers. The columbarium was created during summer schools and workshops using the traditional rammed earth technology. The architects processed local soil on site and then used it to construct a columbarium with thirty niches. The design and construction process took four years, and the finished work is the result of research, teaching, and especially collaboration between students and faculty of FA VUT with local and interest communities.

The architects designed and built this unique structure using a traditional technology that is returning to contemporary architecture. The construction of a medium-sized community object is a significant output of the project "Clay for People. Ecological and economically favorable community buildings made of unfired clay." The columbarium at the cemetery in Mořice was designed by student Jan Peřina under the guidance of academic staff. "A major theme was distinguishing the columbarium from the cemetery wall. The columbarium could easily appear as part of the fencing of the cemetery area or just another wall without a clear purpose. To create a clear distinction, the columbarium exceeds the height of the wall, and most importantly, it is not plastered, thus contrasting more against the white wall," said architect Jan Peřina.

Traditional material, contemporary use

The atypical design applied theoretical knowledge gained from individual research, which was deepened during summer schools and participatory workshops. Rammed earth is a traditional technology that has been increasingly coming to the forefront in recent years. The architects' summer school was dedicated to rammed earth constructions. After laboratory testing at the university, experts selected the type of soil that had optimal properties for this purpose. The fundamental architectural concept was to utilize the natural aging process of the material. The architects also had to work with the fact that each side of the columbarium would be exposed to different weather conditions and would therefore age differently. In conventional buildings, the aging process is undesirable, which is usually solved by plastering or stabilizing the surface or the entire material. "The erosion of the visible rammed earth is primarily caused by water flowing down the columbarium wall, washing away the soil on the surface of the structure. This process stops when the compacted stones emerge on the surface, stopping the flowing water and allowing it to drip to the ground. This interrupts the water's path, and erosion begins to slow down until it almost stops progressing," explained architect Jan Peřina.

A joint work of students, teachers, and the community

The construction took place in collaboration between students and teachers of FA VUT with local residents, volunteers, and interest groups. The work on site lasted several years and became an example of true community building. People across generations, professions, and cultures participated in the project – from children to seniors, locals and international participants. The Day Care Center of Vyškov's Charity also participated.

A significant amount of time was devoted to internationalization and the social impact of the work as part of the university's third role. The project verified that it is not only possible but also beneficial to work with diverse groups – in terms of gender, age, language, and culture – and together create sustainable architecture with broader impact. All components of the "Clay for People" research were applied in the implementation to form a unified whole. "Research on community-based construction was one of the main goals of the Clay for People project. During the construction of the columbarium, we collaborated with various groups and created working teams even among people who would hardly have the opportunity to meet in everyday life. The friendships formed, the personal relationship to the place, purpose, and the structure itself are, along with the constructed object, a fundamental result of our work," said the principal investigator of the project, Zdeněk Vejpustek.

Technology with environmental benefits

The construction used so-called green technologies with consideration for the environment and technical possibilities. The project contributed to raising awareness about environmentally friendly building materials and the potential of community construction. Feedback and experiences also appeared in students' final theses and teaching.

The village of Mořice, with approximately 500 inhabitants, did not have a columbarium until now. The new structure thus not only expanded the possibilities for respectful storage of remains but also showed how a municipality can benefit from a partnership with an academic institution. "From the original intention and approaching a young architect, when the municipality had a vision to create a columbarium in a historicizing style, a timeless design with a deep concept evolved. At the beginning of the implementation, there were many unknowns, which, however, were clarified through the collaboration of the excellent VUT team, the municipality, and volunteers. The columbarium is modern, yet respectful of tradition and ecology, with reverence for ancestors and the work of honest manual labor. An approach based on connecting traditions with modern methods is typical for Mořice," added the mayor of the village, Tomáš Pavelka.

Teaching, research, and implementation under one roof

The columbarium was developed from the initial design to the actual construction under the leadership of the Faculty of Architecture VUT. They provided the design, projection, building permit process, and implementation. Students and teachers from the Faculty of Civil Engineering also participated in parts of the work. The project connects all three roles of the university – educational, research, and social.