DMW Architects is delighted to announce the design completion of our new project. Trokes Coppice will see the expansion of the Harbour View Woodland Burial Complex in Dorset, continuing our work with Tapper Funeral Services to create spaces that respect both the environment and the needs of the community during times of loss.
The Trokes Coppice project takes a previously semi-derelict site and transforms it into a functional and welcoming development. This development is designed to be more intimate than the sprawling existing facilities, offering a calm and peaceful environment for both visitors and staff.
Key features of this project include a Courtyard Garden, Private Chapels, Office facilities, a Rill and a Reflecting Pool. At the centre of the design is a circular Columbarium. This is a public space where visitors can place cremated remains or light candles in memory of their loved ones.
The design employs ‘table’ structures that provide covered spaces across the development. These structures are meant to give visitors and staff meaningful and sheltered places to pause and reflect. They add character to the Woodland Burial Complex and improve the overall experience for all who visit.
We’ve used a minimal palette of materials, including in-situ concrete walls and precast concrete rings, and included clerestory glazing between these structures. This approach allows natural daylight to enter the upper-level spaces, connecting the inside of the buildings with the external landscape.
The interior of the development features outward views, with niches formed in a series of bands on all sides. Above, a subtle dome with a glazed oculus adds interest and invites a sense of broader spiritual connection. It’s our hope that the strong links to nature and light, alongside the calm and secure atmosphere, will make this a comforting place for people to pay their respects.
Lastly, we’ve designed the surrounding landscape to be a wildlife haven, featuring wildflower meadows and mature plantings. This contributes to the serene backdrop and aligns with our commitment to green funerals and natural burial grounds.
