Family vault in Fayt-lez-Manage | Miguel Paternostre

We wanted to make it a place of contemplation and to use the climatic elements to express the changing nature of all things.

The vault opens onto a sunny slope overlooking a rural landscape, itself framed by a motorway and surrounding urbanization. It is set into the site by a wall against which a platform is anchored. This is enlivened by a metal frame that rises above the location of the deceased, giving the place a marked presence.

Heated by the sun's rays, the stone radiates warmth, while prevailing winds are deflected by the wall, creating a microclimate conducive to meditation in all seasons. The platform also provides a space for family gatherings where grandchildren can swing on their grandparents' frame.

Three more of these frames await beneath the slab and make it an evolving monument, reminding us of our impermanence and the importance of enjoying every moment.