By
Ar. Sinora Penkar
With a population of over
a billion people and a country steeped in culture and tradition, India needs to
build for her people clean, tranquil and private spaces where they can complete
the last rites of their loved ones. Ar.
Sinora Penkar’s winning design for a funerary…
The last farewells to the
dearly departed should ideally be a deeply spiritual journey for the mourners. Funerary
Architecture thus has to make sure that crematoriums and cemeteries are places
that provide solace to the distraught, irrespective of their religion.
The architectural
challenge that came via a recent design competition for a Multi-Faith Funerary
Centre granted me the opportunity to research and highlight the inadequacy of
contemporary crematoriums and emphasize the need for alternative methods of
Cremation and Burial; to mitigate the prevailing environmental pollution and promote
integral sustainability issues within this realm.
Responding to the brief
that the funerary must represent the various religions of our country and our
culture and traditions and yet have a definite identity; and that any town or
city within the country should be able to replicate it easily and efficiently
and yet retain its sense of place; our design is based on the symbol of the
Eight-Point Star - a universal symbol
in many faiths.
Concept site plan - has a strong axis, passing through the entrance gateway, through the
waterfall feature, and the central court ending with the Hindu
module wall, directly sitting onto the axis.
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Site Plan - Each
module is an enclosed space, one side overlooking the landscaped surroundings
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Using the Eight-Point Star
as the common architectural element,
we chose simple modular planning,
allowing flexibility in orientation, grouping and placement that can be
replicated easily. Modules of different
faiths are placed around a strong nodal axis with a contemplation space
simulating the ancient step-well or kund
around it. This constitutes a space
where one comes to reflect and hopefully purify & calm oneself.
Design Approach:
Eight-Point Star - A secular concept, open to all, irrespective
of religious beliefs.
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Man’s visual system is
receptive to patterns. The Eight-Point
Star appears in cultures around the world and carries various meanings associated
with each culture that utilizes it. Our project being "Multi-Faith",
different religious modules adapt to this symbol to ensure that although the
faiths are amalgamated into one central Eight -Point Star core, each faith has
the prerogative of performing the funeral rites according to their respective
cultural identity.
The design is more an
experience than a process and therefore, landscape has been used to create a deep
spiritual journey for mourners.
Contemplation Space |
Since the burial process is
defined by biomass and solar
cremation and a green burial process called Promession, the remains
return to the loam in the ground in 6-12 months, necessitating only one plot (a
3rd of the traditional plot size) to be sustainably used in the family for
generations to come - resulting in a true ‘Family Tree’
Remains are returned in a
form that gives life, (i.e. one can plant a flower or tree with the remains)
and in doing so complete the ‘Circle of Life’ preferred by many religions.
The project is still
hypothetical with an ‘awarded’ status; I am hoping to receive the go-ahead for
its execution and realization.
Amazing design. very well done.
ReplyDeleteUnique requirements.Read through the project description to see how you handled it and designed the project. Very well thought of design concept.
ReplyDeletePosted by nirmala srihari on LinkedIn Group: Indian Architects and Interior Designers in response to IAnD's discussion thread: “Will technology be able to substitute customs?”
Thanks ...the subject itself was so unique..
DeleteThank you for sharing this. It is really good idea, designed with sensitivity for everyone...
ReplyDeletePosted by Tatjana Jovanovic on LinkedIn Group: Design & Art Resource in response to IAnD's discussion thread: “Will technology be able to substitute customs?”
Great concept for India's polyglot culture. The main challenge which has always faced final resting spaces still remains unanswered. With burgeoning growth of the worlds population, cemeteries are ever expanding their footprint. Cremation seems to be the only pratical solution so far. Governments in partnership with religious leaders will need to sit down and look at ways to tackle this land use issue in a practical and moral way. There will be many heated debates and backlash around this as centuries old beliefs and customs which have been a way of life for some cultures might have to be revisited and revised. Better we discuss this sooner then later...
ReplyDeletePosted by Anup Magan on Linkedin Group: London Architecture Network in response to IAnD's discussion thread: “Will technology be able to substitute customs?”
Found your funerary project very interesting - great work!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to our project - a multifaith prayer and relax space - ina shopping centre here in London next to the Olympic site - let me know what you think dW
http://www.wamarchitects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/multi-faith-update.html
Posted by David Walker
Thanks. looks interesting...can i have more details??
DeleteThis is a very sensitive and universal design concept and one that can be adapted within many countries and nations around the world.
ReplyDeletePosted by Margaret Ann Matich-Kaney on LinkedIn Group: Design & Art Resource in response to IAnD's discussion thread: “Will technology be able to substitute customs?”
Thanks.
DeleteLooks interesting indeed. We designed a multi faith prayer space as a collaboration between Jewish, Christian and Muslim architects, called FridaySaturdaySunday. These things will be always at the fringes of acceptability by more liberal minded types. Unfortunately religion attracts zealots!
ReplyDeleteThe fundamental of cremation versus burial is key. I might add that cremation is an anathema to orthodox jews and engenders significant cultural reaction (Auschwitz etc), although reform jews allow it.
Very interesting.
Posted by daniel leon on Linkedin Group: London Architecture Network in response to IAnD's discussion thread: “Will technology be able to substitute customs?”
i am Jewish too.and I agree with you that acceptability of a liberal religious thought attracts zealots.. but someone might be able to change the trend.
Deletecan i see your project- FridaySaturdaySunday?? sounds interesting.
Having over a decade exclusive as a cemetery architect, i found this as an interesting idea for academic purposes, but i am curious as to how successful it would actually be for public consumption. For example, I was of the understanding that the Muslim tradition would not allow for the disposal process which you describe (body must be laid on its right side, etc. I have also found that many faiths do not desire such close proximity with their final disposition areas...at least not a perceptible proximity. Do you happen to have a link to the results of this competition?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Quite a unique concept and I think you've done justice to all faiths. I do hope the project takes shape, soon. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDelete