Municipal Funeral Home in León,
design: BAAS
In the hustle and bustle of the modern city, a space has been created that is completely different. Hidden beneath the surface, invisible at first glance. The Municipal Funeral Home in León, designed by studio BAAS - Jordi Badia and Josep Vala - is an architecture that does not seek attention. On the contrary: it moves out of the line of sight, gives up expression, becomes almost invisible. And yet - or precisely because of this - it stays in the memory for a long time. This project not only redefines the way of thinking about funerary spaces, but also becomes a starting point for a deeper reflection on the role of architecture in the experience of passing.
A general view of the sheet of water on the surface of the building, which acts as a roof - a mirror reflecting the sky of León
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
beneath the surface of the city
Instead of a dominant solid - an absence. Instead of an architecture that announces its presence - a space hidden in the ground, barely marked on the surface by a sheet of water. This is a radical design decision: to bury the entire building so that it does not compete with the neighboring residential buildings, so that it does not manifest its function, but remains in the shadows. In a literal and symbolic sense. The flat surface of the water is the only thing visible from the outside. It does not act as an ornament, it does not decorate - on the contrary, it reflects the sky, creating the illusion of infinity. A mirror in which, instead of elevation, we see transience. From this tranquil sheet emerge vertical elements - gemetric blocks, skylights leading light into underground spaces. They seem to reach upward, as if seeking heaven or prayer.
Architectural skylights piercing through the plane of water - elements that illuminate underground spaces and introduce the symbolism of a "prayer of light"
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
the ritual of descent
One does not simply enter the interior - one enters ritually. A long ramp, gently descending, introduces the user to another reality. Its length is not accidental - it allows for tranquility, for a gradual disconnection from the outside world. At the end of this path, the sky opens up - limited, but wide enough to let in light and provide a moment of respite.
A shot of the ramp leading to the main entrance - a descent sequence designed as a rite of passage and a moment of tranquility
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
The main entrance to the building is not just a passage, it is an architectural boundary. The weight of the marble slab that crowns it and the thickness of the framing give it the stature of a gateway - not a symbolic one, but a real one. The material here speaks the language of solemnity. Scale and proportion make this passage momentous.
Municipal Funeral Home in León
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
light, silence and concrete
The interior is a sequence of spaces leading the user through the various stages of saying goodbye. A series of courtyards - closed but open to the sky - introduces light, rhythm and breath. Although the entire building is underground, there is no darkness. On the contrary, light enters through overhead skylights and openings in the water table, creating an atmosphere of focus and soft chiaroscuro. Only one view is visible from each farewell room - the sky. There is no contact with the surroundings, no distracting landscapes. This is a conscious decision: to limit perception, to focus the eye and thoughts upward. In these simple measures lies the power of design by elimination.
The juxtaposition of a cool concrete structure with the warmth of wooden panels - a contrast of materials that builds the atmosphere of the interiors
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
The dominant material throughout the building is concrete - raw, honest, undecorated. It was left in an almost original state, with a clear formwork pattern, which gives it authenticity and weight. The color of the concrete was chosen with precision - its shade refers to the local Boñar stone, from which much of León is built. This is not only an aesthetic gesture, but also an urban one - rooting the building in the place where it was built.
A ceiling skylight illuminating the space
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
wood and mourning
In contrast to the coldness of the concrete comes the wood - it warms the space and introduces a sensual softness. Wooden panels are arranged in curved forms, separating the entrance area from the farewell rooms. However, this is not a decoration - rather an architectural curtain, a filter for emotions and mood. Discreet black details - doorknobs, framing, technical elements - evoke associations with a mourning band. Their presence is symbolic, but not intrusive. They remind us of the emotion that accompanies this space - grief, sadness, silence.
A view of one of the courtyards
Photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
a place in the city
The Funeral Home was built in a densely built-up neighborhood in León, surrounded by residential buildings and construction sites. In such a context, any public project must negotiate its presence. BAAS architects made the decision not so much to adapt to the context as to withdraw almost completely from it. The building does not impose itself - rather, it "disappears," leaving room for reflection. The surrounding greenery and young trees attest to the project's inclusion in a broader urban revitalization strategy. Although functionally the building serves as a funeral home, its form and presence in the landscape resemble more of a public space - a park, a contemplation square, a place for reverie. It is a building that not only serves, but also coexists.
The Municipal Funeral Home in León
photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
the architecture of the passage
The Municipal Funeral Home of León doesn't need monumentality to make an impression. It doesn't need to speak loudly to be heard. Its strength lies in moderation, in thoughtful silence, in the consistency of a design that builds an experience of transition from start to finish - not just physically, but symbolically. This is architecture that doesn't epitomize.It doesn't try to be "pretty."
Municipal Funeral Home in León
Photo by Eugeni Pons © BAAS arquitectura
Its aesthetics are based on the truth of the material, the logic of construction and respect for the human experience. Instead of exposition - introspection. Instead of form - content. BAAS studio's realization is one of those works that not only responds to the set functions, but exceeds them, creating a meaningful place. A place that does not leave you indifferent. And although by design it is intended to serve moments of mourning - paradoxically, it also provides solace.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of BAAS studio.
