"El Higueral," designed by Palera Arquitectos, comprises three volumes. The first volume, intended for access, features a cantilevered corner that leads visitors to a low-ceilinged, compressed space. The second volume houses a high-ceilinged waiting area with a large window, creating a serene and contemplative space that connects with the natural surroundings. Finally, the third volume contains the burial chamber.
The third volume is linked to the central space by a narrow passage that reinforces the transition to the more intimate area of the place, and in turn, integrates natural lighting through a crack in the south facade, giving way to the perception of a space that changes throughout the day in a sensitive way.
Funeral parlour "El Higueral" by Palera arquitectos. Photograph by Adam García.
Project description by Palera arquitectos
The funeral parlour is situated next to the neighbourhood cemetery, in a rural setting that opens up to distant views of the Sierra de los Filabres. In contrast to the irregular and fragmented layout of the existing cemetery, the project embraces and reinterprets this seemingly chaotic character through a composition of three volumes with diverse geometries. This approach creates an overall image that is dynamic yet consistent with the site.
Each volume adapts its spatiality to the function it houses. The first volume accommodates the entrance. A corner cantilever welcomes visitors, leading them into a compact, low-ceilinged space that intensifies the perception of the journey and gradually reveals the side entrance to the next hall.
The second volume houses the public area, configured as a general waiting room with a high ceiling. A large east-facing window frames the landscape, establishing a direct relationship with the natural surroundings. This serene and contained space invites contemplation and reflection, offering silent companionship to the bereaved.
Finally, the third volume is connected to the central space via a narrow passage that acts as a filter, reinforcing the transition towards the most intimate part of the complex. This is where the burial chamber is located, designed as a place of contemplation where the bereaved keep vigil over the deceased. Light enters through a slit in the south façade, allowing natural light—which changes throughout the day—to mark the passage of time. This feature seeks to anchor the visitor in the earthly realm, offering a sensory perception of the passing hours at a time of particular emotional fragility.
