Terra Vitae Morte

 

Location: Southern Cemetery, Manchester, United Kingdom

Year: 2023-2024

Project Type: civic/public

 

'How can we shift our perception of life’s cycles, particularly involving death, from an irreversible condition to a new perspective that embraces the cyclical rhythms in nature?'

 

 

Initial Architecture Concept

 

 

The diagram illustrates the initial stages of conceptualising the architectural design. It begins by depicting the current layout of the site, where humans and non-humans are segregated into separate areas, with minimal interaction between them, facilitating the exploration of potential connections. Ultimately, our proposal advocates for an inclusive design that is able to accommodate both humans and non-humans - a space where individuals can gather to mourn and honour the passing of loved ones, while contemplating the profound questions surrounding life and death.

 

 

 

 

Concept Design

 

 

The project centers on a perpetual circulation, symbolising life’s cyclical journey, weaving through an architectural framework that represents the phases of existence. Key zones—soil (foundation of life), water (tranquillity), and a cyclical reinterpretation of death—connect dynamically to reflect life's continuous interplay. Temporary structures across the site guide visitors toward a central building that serves as an educational hub, fostering awareness of humanity's intrinsic relationship with nature.

Designed for inclusivity, the space welcomes diverse audiences and offers workshops, exhibitions, and community engagement. Strategically located amidst a cemetery, residential area, and the River Mersey, it bridges these distinct zones, metaphorically linking life and death. Initially aimed at the local community, the project aspires to become a landmark attracting broader audiences.

 

 

Link between Humans and Non-Humans

 

 

Within the framework of the project, the inclusion of nonhuman entities serves a dual purpose. Firstly, non-humans are conceptualised as constituent elements integral to the architectural structure, forming an inseparable
component thereof. This perspective underscores a symbiotic relationship wherein the non-human entities become foundational constituents, entwined within the very fabric of the construction. Concurrently, a second facet emerges wherein non-human entities are drawn to specific architectural attributes deliberately chosen for the project. Consequently, the edifice
attains a pivotal objective intrinsic to our ethos – that of refraining from imposing exclusively human decisions upon non-human entities. This deliberate act serves to dismantle hierarchical structures and a human-centric paradigm, enabling nature to reassert itself upon the architectural milieu. The resultant formation of shapes and configurations, dictated by nature’s inclinations, engenders an environment wherein non-human entities are enticed to coexist harmoniously alongside their human counterparts.

 

 

Connecting Humans and the Zones of the Building

 

 

Terra Vitae Morte constitutes an experimental and contemplative milieu wherein patrons undergo diverse stages and typologies of grief. Anchored in the fundamental principles of Loss and Rebirth, integral to the edifice’s ethos, visitors are prompted to reflect upon and recollect their bereavements within distinct areas, or sanctuaries, each deliberately exposed to various natural and architectural elements. The overarching objective of our undertaking resides in the architectural design of a structure intended to shepherd individuals through the emotional terrain of losing loved ones, fostering an acceptance of death as an inherent, cyclical phase within the broader journey of life.


 

in collaboration with Eve Davies