A shortlist has been announced of practices moving through to the next stage of a competition to design a reception building at a green non-denominational burial site in Warwickshire, UK. Baumschlager Eberle Hauvette Paris, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Jonathan Hendry Architects and Rainey Petrie Architecture will all receive a £4,000 honorarium to present their proposals before one team is selected for the £600,000 project.

Jury panellist Colin Shenton of the Shenton Group said: “The Judging Panel was impressed and excited by the breadth and quality of the 94 submissions; there is a great deal of creativity in the architectural community and matching this to such an unusual brief will produce one of England’s finest new buildings.”

The scheme involves the erection of a building for commemorative services at the burial site at Alne Wood Park. The project looks to offer a reliable source of income for the neighbouring broadleaf forest and increase public engagement with the park. Noted as an eco-alternative to traditional burial grounds, the non-denominational site will enable people to be laid to rest in caskets made of cardboard or willow and family and friends will be encouraged to plant a tree instead of the usual memorial stone.