The Halo

How does one design a space that harnesses the intangible and transcends across time?
The idea behind the design of the tomb started by imagining it as a garden block of a larger picture. The 400 tombs have a flower bed surrounding them at a height and are designed across 23 clusters each cluster having green areas and seating. In this manner, various clusters negotiate green areas at various heights forming a large garden. Every passed away person in the tomb is perceived that they have transcended into the garden and is still there with them. The complete plaza of tombs area is designed 1.5metres below the existing ground level. So, as one enters The Chapel & The Condolences Hall premises from the plaza at the entrance, one sees the garden tombs from a square frame created in front of a serene water body with a tree. The Chapel and the Condolences Hall is located on the left and the right side of this tree respectively. There is a continuous play of direct and indirect light in the built form along with individual green courts which become the backdrop for the spaces inside.

A person visiting their loved ones ends his journey through the walkway designed at a height above the tombs from which the whole garden can be viewed with the built form acting as a backdrop here. In this way, the balance of grief and peacefulness is achieved. The 13mts high column stands tall around which the circle of remembrance rotates while the Pavilion of Silence marks the end cluster.