Mathon architects earn state award nomination for funeral room

A new funeral viewing room in Mathon, in the Paznaun Valley, has been nominated for a state award. The project, reported by ORF, pairs a space for farewells with a community building, creating a place for remembrance and shared life.

Architects Barbara Poberschnigg and Iris Reiter designed the two-building ensemble to replace the dilapidated Widum, a community building. Rather than construct one large replacement, they divided the project into two smaller buildings: the viewing room and a public space for everyday gatherings.

The viewing room looks like a dark timber building but is made of concrete, with boards from the old Widum pressed into its exterior to preserve a memory of the former building. Its traditional gabled roof also recalls local building styles. Inside, the compact room is bright and lined with local silver fir.

The architects paid particular attention to natural light, hoping the design would make difficult hours feel a little easier. The building measures 4.5 by nine metres and was kept deliberately small.

Across a small new village square, the timber-shingled community building provides space for conversation and shared remembrance. The viewing room has quickly been embraced by residents, and visitors from outside Mathon have also come to see it. The architects say the square gives visible form to the absence left when someone leaves the community.