Life and Afterlife

Using New York marble cemetery as a design parameter, the building creates a dialogue between the realm of dead below and the celestial world for plant and animal life above.
The memorial space below works with the existing vaults, marble plaques and circulation to invite a larger group of citizens to experience the mystery, grief and solemnity. The celestial space above is characterized by a botanical garden with mixed-use spaces engulfed by a ghostly domed structure. Growing along these metal mesh surfaces is a green layer that holds water, plant and animal life, which evoke a sense of openness, joy and wonder. The sensational and emotional qualities experienced as one moves through the building allow one to face life’s tensions and problems in a calm and balanced way. The space provides an environment where the contemplative life can be developed and protected amid the complexities of city living.