Memorial Garden VI
The progress of the Memorial Garden project is near finish, and I designed several plans for it. It not only included visual design, but I also investigated the theme of organ donation from various aspects, like material studies, symbolism, and so on. I tried to give rich content to this project. More importantly, in this way, triggers people involved in the topic of organ donation spontaneously.
I chose a few symbols that have been frequently used in human history at the very beginning of the project, they were including light, wings, and infinity symbols. I believe they are deeply connected to human nature, which can touch the basic qualities of ourselves. I tried to design the memorial to be a contemplative venue rather than a place for people to rest.
Stele of Lady Taperet, 1065 - 664 BC, Ancient Egypt
Pantheon, 113–125 AD, Rome, Italy
Carlo Scarpa, Brion Tomb, 1968-1978, Treviso, Italy
However, after experiment and practice, I narrowed the selected symbol to light. Compared to other symbols, light is the element that we can see in our everyday lives. Additionally, it is also a prerequisite for all life, it represents power, hope and life. I believe it is one of the best selections for the topic of organ donation.
As I mentioned in previous posts, I made a translucent concrete sample and planned to use it in the project. In the first design, I designed suspended stairs, and I put translucent concrete blocks on the wall of the space. Thereby, when a person steps into the space, people from outside would see a shadow of a person inside on the wall. The interaction is symbolic, two people just like the relationship between a donor and recipient in organ donation. They may never meet each other, however, their action certainly will make another life more meaningful.
Design 1
Design 1
Design 1
In the second plan, considering the cost and other realistic factors, I designed a memorial with a simpler structure. It is a gate-liked memorial and put a non-parallel wall in the middle of it. However, I still used translucent concrete to express similar symbolic meanings with the first design.
Design 2
Design 2
