Precedent Study

     The examination of funerary structures from around the world was quite an eye opening endeavor. Before this project began, I knew of only two things that happened after death; you could be buried or cremated. The idea of an ossuary at first seemed strange, but as I continued to research for the studio booklet, I found that it wasn't an uncommon practice. In fact, the storage of bones of ones who have passed has been going on for thousand of years all around the world.

                                                   Cimitero Monumentale Del Verano

 

And in fact, I've found that they are quite beautiful. Traditional lawn cemeteries in America are designed for solitude. There are rarely places for interaction or reflection. But this architecture reflects the Americans feelings on death. We would rather ignore death than face it and celebrate it like other cultures around the world. Mausoleums like the Cimitero Monumentale Del Verano in Rome Italy pictured above, and the  Municipal Columbarium in Montevideo Uruguay that we are studying, both are prime examples of funerary structures that create an open public environment for interaction, reflection and celebration, while also maintaining a level of privacy for individuals. They choose to celebrate the lives of those we have lost.