Cemetery chapel St. Florin is expanded – Liechtenstein
VADUZ – Since the cemetery chapel often reaches its limit, it is to be expanded to include a laying-out area. The municipality of Vaduz would like the burial grounds above to be barrier-free. The municipal council has approved the project and the commitment loan of almost 3 million Swiss francs.
The commissioned architectural office has drawn up a planning study for an extension of the cemetery chapel. The aim is to offer the deceased a dignified setting for their last journey as well as their relatives. “After the presentation in the church and parish council, a concrete project was developed from it, in which it became clear that the character and appearance of the chapel should be preserved,” as the municipal administration announced on Wednesday.
Important and defining elements of the existing chapel – such as the bust of Archangel Michael and the commemorative plaques – are to be dismantled, refreshed and temporarily stored during the construction work, so that they can then be reinstalled in their original locations.
Two new catafalques
The expansion provides for two new, state-of-the-art catafalques, which are made of natural stone and glass. They are to be positioned in the center of the expanded mortuary. This means that the space can be used optimally and at the same time there is the possibility of installing a third catafalque at a later date. The necessary infrastructure should therefore already be provided.
According to the announcement, the passage from the open hall to the Abdication Hall will be increased in both width and height. A foldable glass front was installed to separate the two halls, which is open at the top for sufficient ventilation. A natural stone is provided as the floor covering. On the east side of the cloakroom there is an additional room that is used as a chair store. “The loudspeaker system is also to be brought up to date in the course of the renovation work.”
Barrier-free access
As part of the project, the eastern grave fields 14 and 16 are also to be made barrier-free. An elevator is planned for the south facade of the cemetery chapel (priest grave area). The level in front of the graves has been lowered to ensure accessibility to the lift. In order to visually integrate the lift into the existing wall, the outer wall of the lift on the ground floor is to be faced with natural stone. On the upper floor, the lift is made of glass, which makes it appear more transparent.
Almost 3 million francs
“Since the cemetery chapel cannot be used during the construction phase, a worthy temporary solution will be created on the open meadow in front of the chapel,” says the community.
The costs were calculated based on the project plans, the concept for the building statics, the concepts for the catafalque systems, based on the findings of the geotechnical report and the pollutant screening. The expansion of the cemetery chapel is therefore very complex and expensive on site. At its meeting on December 14, the municipal council approved a commitment loan of CHF 2,754,000 for the expansion of the cemetery chapel.
As a next step, the planning application is submitted by the municipality of Vaduz.