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).

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

Some of these panels are slightly displaced, allowing narrow openings to puncture the rear wall.

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.

"The black mirror asks everyone to look at themselves before entering," added Matos.

Darker marble lines the interior of the building and a single brass cross is positioned against the far wall.