The brief for this project was to design a 1,000 plot multi-faith cemetery with a landscape-led proposal and to include a secular chapel building for the accommodate of up to 100 mourners.

The site faced several key challenges that the design process needed to consider. The first was the location within metropolitan greenbelt, although the scheme was developed on the premise that cemeteries were one of the few accepted forms of development within the greenbelt. The others were the proximity of two major multi-carriageway roads (M25 and A12), partial inclusion of the site within a flood zone and the sloping topography of the site.

Two main planning obstacles were addressed during the design of this project; the location of the site within the greenbelt and the expressed need for burial space. Each local authority must make provision for cemetery plots and given the urban density of central London, many of the central London boroughs look to locate their provision of burial space in outer areas such as Havering.

The landscape-led design for the site embraces the designation, integrating and enhancing the existing biodiversity, with burial plots placed outside of the flood zone and surrounding tree screening retained and improved. The tree screening also provides a noise absorption and shield from the disturbance of the M25. A circulation road through the site follows the edge of the flood plan with burial plots located north of this. The ceremonial chapel is in the south-east corner, turning its back on the traffic and facing into the landscape of the site – focusing views and shielding visitors from the disturbances of everyday life behind.

The chapel building is designed with a curved columbarium wall protecting it from the A12 and M25 beyond and as well as providing noise reduction it will contain interred cremated remains. The cradling curved form of the building will also deflect sound, with the deliberately selected form preventing resonance within the quiet and reflective outside spaces – as well as within the chapel itself.

The chapel is triangular in plan form, shaped to focus all attention inside onto the Catafalque and with a full height glazed end wall - facing west and into the calm of the landscaped gardens. In plan the chapel appears like a quadrant of a circle, with waiting area, toilets, and office space arranged inside an adjacent quadrant. The final quadrant of the overall circular plan is outside space and provides a covered entrance and drop-off for a funeral cortege. Together these elements are covered by a large oversailing circular roof which appears like the brim of a fine crisp hat, topping off the building below.

A selection of stone gabion walls, timber, and glass cladding, as well as fine Portland stone and bronze detailing were chosen to form this building - to present a solid and reflective environment in this serene setting and for such important moments in life.

Ian Blake designed Maylands Cemetery whilst at Sutton Griffin Architects