Roucan Loch Crematorium is the only crematorium in Dumfries and Galloway. It serves the local community who would otherwise have to make a round trip of 120 miles to the nearest crematorium. It is set in ten acres of natural countryside, bordered to the north by mature Scots pine woodland, and to the south by Roucan Loch.
The building consists mainly of a service room which holds up to 40 people. It is designed to host small-scale services, held in addition to a main service in the church or chapel of rest. It is also designed for private committals for immediate family and close friends who wish to grieve in the serene and peaceful atmosphere of Roucan Loch.
Timber technologies
The building transforms a noisy, industrial, high-fire-risk area into a sensitive, quiet and memorable building, making it special for the people using it. Use of timber plays a large part in achieving this goal, in particular the timber clad crematorium service room.
The building has a glulam timber structure and uses western red cedar externally and yellow pine internally.
Special timber-related features
The landscaped setting emphasises the peaceful atmosphere of the space and was key to the design of the building. Glazing on both sides of the service room frames the views of the woodland and the loch.
The building is positioned as close to the loch as possible to allow natural light to reflect into the service room from the surface of the water.
Header image credit: Robert Potter & Partners
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