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Location
Image source: Google maps
The site we studied is the Babhai Hindu Smashan Bhumi in Borivali, Mumbai. Through this, we learned about various cremation techniques and processes across different religions. There are many crematoriums, cemeteries, and smashan bhumis in the city which are of different religions and follow their techniques and rituals at the time of cremation.
Location
Image source: Google maps
Detailed site plan
Spatial Configuration- The existing site.
Incremental
1920
Old single wood burner
1930
Addition of storages
1950
Definition of space and levelling
1985
Addition of Death registration office, storages, three new wood burners, a smoke disposal system of them, worker spaces and ritual hall
2000
Extension of space
2004
Addition of Gas burners and New death registration office
SECTION AA’
SECTION BB’
SECTION CC’’
SECTION DD’’
Activity
Observation of the site - The site was covered with a dense amount of trees.
The site was a bit shady, and a proper amount of sunlight was not been able to reach the ground.
Irregular site with no sense of spatial arrangement in terms of vehicular and human flow, randomly arranged programs.
There is a level difference of one meter on the other side of the smashan.
Crematorium as a space of Remembrance
Now what is a space of death, it varies from person to person.
For me, The "Death Space" can be thought of in terms of its built settings dealing with memory, loss and spirituality. So this involves cemeteries, mausoleums, together with memorials whose architecture is able to pay tribute to the dead and offer living converse places to feel as well as contemplate over loss. The initial ambiance is produced by employing materials, volumes shaded out or arranging different spaces—wherever heavy stones and concrete imply constancy including light-symmetry play may suggest fluctuating between living and dying. It may even include passages where visitors will be treated to thoughts encouraging such like meditation within themselves, remembrance with the past. Consequently these spaces can either be minimalist or monumental depending on the emotional consequences expected from them finally. In addition, we can also mix sacredness to create a peaceful environment that respects death but brings together past and present.
The larger idea was to rethink the space of death as a space of Remembrance. In our country, some people have a spiritual mindset of not going back to the cremation space because of the space which is not inviting, dark, etc..
When people enter a Cremation space their movements become scattered, they don't know where to go and what to do because of the space itself, so I also wanted to control the movement of people or calm down their process as they are going through a bad phase of life as someone is deceased.
So the above sketches are some of the trials through which I have started the process. It shows the circulatory processes and how a concept of passage develops around it. This will affect the movement of visitors and can change the experience of the space a bit.
Now around these circulatory drawings, clean forms of cubes and cuboids are formed, which mark various programs that are going to be installed in it.
Simply, the concept was Minimalism. After doing various studies of the space, it is marked by its both Form and Functions. The use of regular and clean shapes, creating clear lines, forms the basis of the design. So the space of death should be incorporated with these regular and clean functions as well.
Now, as mentioned earlier the use of cubes, so one should wonder why the use of cubes and cuboids; out of drawings a subtle form of the cube which emerges, which has this power of simplicity and formally goes in the context of death. So the cubes and cuboids are the base and language of the design. This can also ensure us contextual sensitivity as these are not stand-alone structures but an integral part of the urban fabric, solace, and closure which requires, reducing distractions to allow mourners to engage more fully with the ritual.
There are some iterative process models of the cubes and cuboids, in which I tried various spaces with their height, volume, capacity and scale.
Getting off to a start, zoning is an important function when the site is irregular. I wanted to create a smooth human flow through a passage that can divert the thoughts of visitors which can force them to visit again as a space to remember in the memory of their loved ones.
Towards the design process;
1st iterative design concept
In the first conceptual design, I started with the massing of cubes arranging various programs in it.
Programs include an Admin office, Caretaker's Residence, Common washroom, Prayer Hall, Social Gathering space, Washing and Bathing space, Storage room, Cremation spaces, and parking.
2nd iterative design concept
As going further, the massing was reduced as there should be open spaces as well.
3rd iterative design
From here, I have started resolving the structure, and added a burial graveyard which can act as a space for remembrance.
On its right, there are three electric cremation spaces with services provided beside. There is one road that is going through the site for the ambulance to cross and can reach every space where it can drop the body of the deceased.
4th iterative design
Now from here onwards, I have started to visualize the space a bit more seriously, the spaces are the same as compared to the earlier one but added a passage around spaces.
The layout of the Electric cremation spaces changed as I broke the unit and separated each space individually with comfortable walking and access around it.
The capacity of a graveyard is that it can hold more than 120 bodies at a time.
5th iterative design
Started to detail things, the passage at the place, and a layer of gravel added around the plinth to soothe the visitors' walk.
Also, added sitting spaces in the graveyard to spend some time there.
6th iterative design
The Washing space and the parking spaces are interchanged with each other, as the washing space is a part of the ritual space which needs to be connected with the other programs like prayer or social gathering space.
So it is placed in front of the prayer hall by which there is a link or connection maintained between prayer and ritual.
The depth of burial is 1.5 meters underground and is placed one meter apart from each other to walk through the space.
We can see in a section that the height is almost the same as the width, it is so to maintain a sense of cube as a space.
Final Design
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Roof Plan
Spatially, we're dividing the spaces on the flow or movement of people according to the process of cremation. We have an entry in the center and then two paths diverge there, one is going towards Ritual and Prayer spaces where one should complete their rituals first. Then after completing it, proceed on the either side where there are electric cremation spaces. There is a set of four cubes arranged in front of each other where the body of each cube is opened from three sides as to allow people to occupy the whole space of the plinth. There is one water body at the center which can calm down one's emotions and feelings.
Followed by it, there is a burial graveyard as mentioned many times earlier, where there are more than 100 burials. This space can act as a space of Remembrance. There are thick walls that are compartmentalizing the spaces which are having these niches where one can store urn pods or ashes of the deceased person.
In between the graveyard and electric crematoriums, we are placing a social gathering space for mourning or performing post-death rituals. This space is a set of walls and frames by which it is categorized into open as well as private spaces.
Admin blocks and security cabins are located at the entrances from the either side followed by Caretaker's Housings. These housings are designed in such a way that in between the pockets are created from the front and back which can act as an extension to their living.
The Prayer Hall and social gathering space are of double stories. In case of the hall, there is a lookover gallery above which gives a sense of the height of how it is changing to double and gathering space we should let one's emotions flow by going up and sitting under semi-open roof with the remembrance of a deceased person.
Final Model
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