Revival of memory

Abstract

Life and death are important issues that everyone experiences in the lifetime. Life is usually a symbol of hope and happiness, while death is a of loss and separation, which is relatively heavy. As a place where most people store their sorrow and memories of death, public cemeteries carry a lot of thoughts and reflections about death.

In Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, cemeteries are considered to be places where people’s souls live after death, requiring good feng shui conditions and appropriate area and shape to allow the dead to rest in peace.

This research investigated public cemetery as a monumental public space, it carries on a person’s memory of one’s experience and could be expanded to a family or a group’s collective memory. Through the research for cemeterial history and rituals, as well as the result of questionnaire, the necessity of design is clear, which requires creating more different types of space in the future, balancing appropriate symbol, integrating with the surrounding natural scenery, in order to better meet the requirements of the new generations for memorial and remembrance.

The research focuses on my individual memory and family collective memory about Chang’an Ci’en Yuan cemetery, where my grandma and grandpa were buried. Guided by four design principles derived from analysis: diversified atmosphere, memorial symbolism, natural structure and publicness,together with ritual. Chang’an Ci’en Yuan cemetery will be redesigned to vitalized various forms of memory about death and integrate public space into a vibrant and more powerful public cemetery.

At the same time, from the perspective of scale continuum, this research provides with a design principle for other public cemeteries in Xi’an that can be used for reference probably in the future, and reshapes a better atmosphere of Xi’an public cemeteries.