Family mausoleum built from white marble and black glass by Armazenar Ideias
Portuguese studio Armazenar Ideias used blocks of white marble to build this cube-shaped mausoleum for a family living in the city of Póvoa de Varzim (+ slideshow).
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_2sq.jpg)
Rather than replicating the classical structures typically built for Portuguese families, Pedro Matos of Armazenar Ideias wanted to design a more modern and simplistic vault for the Gomes family, who originated from Venezuela.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_8a.jpg)
"There are different values to be represented in architecture now," Matos told Dezeen. "Not so much the old solemnity and 'baroque thinking' associated to death, but a much more simple and essential way to interpret it, detached from the excess of symbolism."
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_6.jpg)
The architect sourced the purest marble he could to build the walls of the mausoleum, creating a grid of white squares around the rear and sides of the structure.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_12.jpg)
"The project tries to relate itself with the sacred theme," said Matos. "The facades carry the weight of a temple and are made of the whitest marble we could find, the colour of purity to Catholicism."
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_10.jpg)
Some of these panels are slightly displaced, allowing narrow openings to puncture the rear wall.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_1.jpg)
To contrast with the bright marble, the facade of the vault is made from reflective black glass, intended to reflect the surroundings and give privacy to the interior.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_7.jpg)
"The black mirror asks everyone to look at themselves before entering," added Matos.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_3.jpg)
Darker marble lines the interior of the building and a single brass cross is positioned against the far wall.
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_13.gif)
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_15.gif)
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_14.gif)
![Family grave house by Armazenar Ideias Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/Family-grave-house-by-Armazenar-Ideias-Arquitectos_dezeen_16.gif)