1926 FARMHOUSE CONVERTED TO FUNERAL HOME + CHAPEL

The beautiful two-story colonial house with cedar siding and clay tile roof shingles was built in 1926 by a seasoned lumberman. The original front of the house faced a clear running stream. However, over the years the main road had been built on the opposite side of the house. Phase one of this project was to convert the existing house into a funeral home and relocate the front to the opposite side. Adding the large drive through portico and extensive interior renovations turned the house into a funeral home and while keeping its stately beauty.

THE CHAPEL ADDITION

Soon after phase one was completed a new Chapel was needed. The Chapel had to stand out as a Chapel yet blend with the existing funeral home. This was accomplished by using like materials and maintaining the proper scale. The Chapel with its tall staple serves many functions for the community including a wedding venue on many occasions. The pews are not secured to the floor so they can be moved around or even taken out of the building to meet the specific needs of the guests. A long curving corridor connects the existing funeral home to the Chapel and serves two main purposes. First, it provides separation between the two functions which helps them maintain their own character while still being one entity. Secondly, it provides a nice, long, large area for families to gather or line up for visitations.

THE CREMATORY ADDITION

As times change, more people are choosing to be cremated. The third and final phase of the project, a crematory, was added behind the first two structures to meet those needs. It was located on the site and designed in such a way so not to compete with the other structures and is mostly hidden from view.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Great care must be taken when re-purposing beautiful old buildings. Upland Architects has the experience and knowledge required to transform older structures into modern masterpieces without compromising the qualities that make them special to begin with.