North Hong Kong Columbarium

Finding a space to lay one’s remains in Hong Kong is becoming nigh on impossible. Cemeteries are congested and the process of cremation and internment of ashes has become increasingly commercialized and desensitized. The design proposes a space to venerate the deceased in a peaceful resting place and provides a setting for family members and friends to celebrate the life and death of the deceased. Conceptually, the design of the columbarium embodies a key belief associated with Buddhism- the cycle of death and rebirth. The columbarium’s form is defined by three rings that intersect on two levels, forming an unending sequence of spaces that reflects the nature of reincarnation. The journey of one traversing through the building is curated by a series of “key moments” by using a variety of materials and manipulation of natural lighting. Upon entry to the columbarium, visitors are greeted by a statue of Buddha, sitting in the center of a sunlit courtyard that opens to the sky. Making their way into the building foyer, one will be able to view three ramped paths branching out to the three rings. Each ring is anchored by a sutra statue with a different architectural language, giving a sense of direction to the visitor. The niche rooms are placed along gentle ramps that circulate around the three courtyards overlooking the Buddha statues- creating an environment that instills a sense of divine omnipresence. Each niche room has space to accommodate groups of visitors and joss stick ceremonies. The ramps loop upwards around the rings twice, and eventually converge on the final floor, lit by a skylight. Here, one will be able to visually engage with all three rings while taking respite before making their way back down to the foyer. The main palette of the building consists of warm, natural grey and beige tones to blend in with the surrounding environment and buildings. Materials such as stone cladded walls and timber carry haptic and natural qualities to enhance the experience of the visitor. A variety of landscaping strategies are employed in the proposal, including the addition of water features, and climbing plants on the stone walls. The tablets pavilion and washrooms are situated independently as three separate buildings in a landscaped garden, like the previously submitted design proposal, while the driveway is anchored by a feature lotus-inspired fountain. Contextually, the building is designed to complement the existing buildings surrounding it- through form, materiality, and scale. Form-wise, the strong curvature of the columbarium complements the nearby Elderly Care Home, which has a curvilinear form. With an unostentatious and subtle facade, the colour and material palette of the columbarium is carefully chosen to complement the existing palettes of the site’s surrounds- that of neutral tones and textured materials derived from the religious temples nearby. The building sits gently on site with no adverse/ overpowering visual impact to the site surrounding and takes into consideration the human scale and experience through the site.