Forest Pavilion Loenen

The pavilion for commemoration and educational is located in Loenen’s dense forest. The building brings together the introvert act of remembering and the extrovert energy of storytelling; it connects the personal emotion of memory with the collective power of communication.

In the design this is translated in a double route. The first, educational route follows the contours of the ellipse-shaped pavilion. The route is circular and leads the visitor along the exhibition space and around the auditorium, guided by the landscape. This route is an experience. The second, ceremonial route is linear and connects the reception room with the auditorium. The auditorium is slightly deepened due to the elevated passage around the perimeter. The passage’s edge forms a seating area. The roof of the auditorium is raised and brings daylight into the heart of the building.

Multiplicity is the power of the design: an open and dynamic place for education and information that is simultaneously a quiet and honourable place of remembrance.