This website uses cookies as well as similar tools and technologies to understand visitors' experiences. By continuing to use this website, you consent to Columbia University's usage of cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with the Columbia University Website Cookie Notice
In the wake of the pandemic and with climate emergencies on the horizon, death anxiety is increasingly prevalent. In response to escalating mental health challenges, particularly heightened in the COVID-19 era, we want to bring fundamental aspects of mortality and connectivity back to urban life, which can bolster resilience and mitigate anxiety. Based on this understanding, our design leverages natural microbial processes, utilizing biochemical reactions from remains to generate electricity and purify water. Functionally, the project transcends conventional funeral parlors, morphing into a multifaceted public space blending solemnity and recreation. Emphasizing light-infused, temporally-tuned design, it serves as a soul-healing sanctuary. By seamlessly integrating into daily life as both a funerary-memorial space and a water-centered park, the project aims to shift societal perceptions of death, contribute to urban sustainability, and catalyze profound psychological healing; envisioning a future where death is embraced as an integral part of life.