Family Mausoleum at Municipal Cemetery by Fransmas Architects, Terrassa

Located in Terrassa, Spain, the Family Mausoleum designed by Fransmas architects (lead architect: Frans Masana Castanys) is a 20 m² contemplative space completed in 2023. Photographed by Adrià Goula, the mausoleum reflects a profound exploration of symbolism, geometry, and sacred design in funerary architecture.

At the heart of the design lies the circle, a timeless symbol of divinity, eternity, and perfection. Historically, circular forms have shaped architecture from ancient domes and watchtowers to Stonehenge and cathedral rose windows. The circle represents protection, stability, and unity, echoing the sacredness of life, the sun as a life-giving force, and the Christian symbology of the Holy Trinity, as expressed in the “Scutum Fidei” and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

The mausoleum’s design is elegantly minimalistic yet deeply meaningful. A single rounded stone piece is embraced by a stainless steel ring, with two hollow lanes guiding rainwater while framing the access cover. The rising circular cover reveals the crypt where family members rest in peace. This elevated stone evokes weightlessness, symbolizing the transcendence of the soul and the enduring bond of family.

The project embodies harmony, spirituality, and architectural purity, merging traditional symbolic forms with modern minimalism. Its circular design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also reinforces a sense of safety, permanence, and familial unity, a sanctuary where memory and meaning converge.

All photographs are works of  Adrià Goula