Vertical Cemetery, Future of the Past

Most of us don’t like to think about death. But as the global population expands, the question of how to dispose-off the deceased becomes more pressing. It is estimated that in 2045 the land needed for burials around the world would come to an end.

My concept revolves around three different outlooks. One is the golden triangle where each corner depicts different elements of a soul. Secondly there are four elements of Christianity without which the final rituals don’t take place. Lastly, the important places in a Christian funeral are church, committal room and burial ground.

The Madras Cemeteries Board, which looks after three cemeteries in Chennai, recently started a 450 unit multi-tier vault burial which looks like bank lockers. It just took eight years to get filled up. The largest and the oldest cemetery at Kilpauk was partially closed for new burials in April 2005 because there was little available space.

- Removal of stigma and to experience the emotions of life. - Monument of the dead. - Architectural marker of the city to honor the dead in the public spaces. - An architectural concept providing warmth to the visitors.

Physical model done at 3 different stages to understand the vertical zoning. Hand sketches done to understand the different spaces designed.

10 Floor plans of the proposed structure with stilt height of 5.5 m. All the floor plates are angular with no of voids for the user to have visual connectivity. The floor height is about 5.5 m with ramps, staircases and lifts connecting different floors. Each floor has a space for burial and a space for experiencing different emotions in life.

The different views of the floors and the spaces designed. The use of natural lighting helps the user to understand the story.

This open structure is designed in such a way that the user get to know whats happening inside the building and so helps in removing the stigma that's attached and reduces the happenings of illegal activities. Removes the claustrophobic feeling. 4 most important poles support the structure which metaphorically depict the elements of Christianity.