As a result of changing lifestyles (in that a number of families are not affiliated with faith groups), and a demand caused by more cremations, Springfield needed a new funeral home facility. Littleton & Rue’s Owners realized that — in the past — families would gather in churches, but that is just not as common today. And there is also a paradigm shift away from cemetery burials to cremations. This was the impetus for the new building known as “The Landing” at Littleton & Rue Funeral Home and Crematory.
The project site includes a mansion and a local landmark; during the Great Depression, the mansion became a funeral home. The mansion and stables carefully remain, set on four acres of manicured lawn. Rounding out the site and enclosing the funeral home activities is the new building, The Landing.
The Landing provides family and friends a place for much-needed fellowship after a stressful day.
The Landing is a 5,440-square-foot, single-floor, slab-on-grade structure. The new building has two purposes: The Landing is the public side, and the work areas are behind the scenes. The concept for The Landing is to provide a gathering space with an interior that creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere, serving as a post-reception facility. The Landing is a contemporary yet cozy lodge style building…a casual family living room adjacent to the historic funeral home.
Primary programmatic components are the gathering space, which will seat 55 people, complete with stone fireplace and exposed wood glulam beams with wood ceiling, a welcoming lobby featuring a cascading waterfall, and two arrangement offices. Support spaces for the gathering room include a small catering kitchen and public restrooms. At the other end of the building is a separate pet services reception for receiving the pets and making arrangements.
Behind the scenes, the spaces are primarily for human and pet cremation services. There is also a large work area with a refrigeration room for up to 12 individuals.
The gathering space, complete with stone fireplace and exposed wood glulam beams with wood ceiling.
The Landing is a place to celebrate life. The design looks beyond the physical and pragmatic requirements of a multi- generational gathering hall, and takes a deeper dive into psychological features of architectural design. The structure modestly camouflages itself with pale yellow stucco and green trim to blend with the historic mansion and stables.
Walking into The Landing from the canopy plays with the notion of compression and expansion of space, which provides some relief from the mourners’ grief. A person is recognized by the deeds they have done throughout their life, which will be celebrated. For centuries, the hearth has been a pivotal source of placemaking. The Landing’s contemporary fireplace interprets the idea of warmth, and the ambiance of the flickering flames gives meaning to the story of life. It drives the idea of people gathering around the fire and sharing the story of a special life. Meanwhile, the high-tilted wood ceiling elevates you a bit closer to a higher plane. Layers of sun rays guided by the warm, dynamic ceiling add to the atmosphere of the space. The architecture of Littleton & Rue’s The Landing narrates the whole story of life through its design.
Architect
McCall Sharp Architecture, Ltd.
14 E. Main Street, Suite 201, Springfield, OH 45502
www.mccallsharp.com
Structural Engineer
Eeman & Blinn, Inc.
6037 Frantz Road, #103, Dublin, OH 43017
Location: Springfield, Ohio
Date Bid: Sep 2021
Construction Period: Oct 2021 to Jan 2023
Total Square Feet: 5,176
Number of Buildings: One.
Building Sizes: Gathering space, 1,747; offices, 1,054; crema- tory and storage, 2,375; total, 5,176 square feet.
Basic Construction Type: New.
Foundation: Concrete.
Exterior Walls: Other.
Roof: Metal.
Floors: Concrete.
Interior Walls: Metal stud drywall.
Photo: Courtesy of Stephen L. Sharp, FAIA, NCARB
