German War Cemetery
Ysselsteyn, Limburg

Multiple design possibilities

This beautiful project showcases the wide range of design and application possibilities offered by Platowood’s wood. Platowood Fraké was used for the façade cladding, interior, window frames, roof overhang, shutters for sunshading, and decorative slats. All the wood, including the frames, was finished with a Weathered finish to ensure an even greying.

Joost Kanters, Novaedes Architecten:

”We chose Platowood because of the material’s aesthetic durability and the ability to pre-weather it. We wanted a material that would not produce disruptive color variations—now or in the future. Of course, wood can have a bit of natural variation, but it shouldn’t result in stark color contrasts. The Weathered finish provides a subdued tone that fits the context of the location. Another advantage is that both the frames and the adjoining wooden façade cladding could be made from the same material, allowing for a calm and refined detailing.”

Inspired by personal stories

Before starting the design process, the architect was given a guided tour of the cemetery. Personal stories are told at each grave. Architect Joost Kanters: “It made me reflect—things are never black-and-white, but grey. This led to the question: What can we do with the building to support and even enhance that experience? We wanted to create a build-up to the stories told at the graves. An experience like in a film or a play, consisting of three acts: setup, confrontation, and resolution.”

The path visitors take from the parking lot to the visitor center is divided into three parts. First, a long axis formed by Platowood decorative slats. Due to the twisting of the slats, this is perceived as a closed corridor on the way in. This passage builds a sense of tension: where am I going, what should I expect? The narrowing at the end amplifies the confrontation with the 32,000 crosses and the vastness of the grounds. The personal stories at the graves form the resolution.

Sunshading with automated shutters

In addition to the decorative slats, the sun-shading shutters on the cemetery side stand out. When closed, the building forms a subdued backdrop for the cemetery. From the inside, however, visitors can still see the cemetery through the slats. This maintains a sense of connection without putting the site directly on display. Depending on whether the shutters are opened or closed, the amount of daylight and view onto the cemetery can be controlled.