Green Funeral Ceremony Center

Place To Celebrate Life

The Green Funeral Ceremony Center, aptly named Gather, is a testament to the importance of coming together during times of grief. The center's design focuses on the three stages of human flow - Leaving, Gathering, and Connection - to create a space that encourages togetherness and diminishes the sadness typically associated with traditional Chinese funerals.

One of the unique features of Gather is its use of recycled materials, particularly human ashes. By incorporating these ashes into the building's structure and materials, the center highlights the idea that even in death, human bodies can still be essential and contribute to the world. This approach minimizes the use of non-renewable resources and creates a strong foundation for the center's eco-friendly ethos.

The rooftop ash garden further enhances the connection between nature and the funeral ceremony. Guests can find solace in the elements of nature, while the surrounding trees provide natural shade for their comfort. The overall design of the center, with its shapes resembling two human hands meeting, symbolizes the idea of finding a common point to understand that a funeral is a time to gather and celebrate life.

The Green Funeral Ceremony Center offers a unique and thoughtful approach to funeral services. The space is divided into three parts - Leaving, Gathering, and Connection - each serving a specific purpose in the funeral ceremony. The exhibition space allows family and guests to view the deceased, strengthening the cohesiveness of the gathering. The public atrium provides a space for reflection and rest, with the support of natural elements such as sunlight and tree shadows to calm the mind and body. Finally, the square serves as a place of connection for the soul, leading to the warm funeral and meditation space where attendees can face the turning of life with forgiveness.

The Green Funeral Ceremony Center is located in Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong. The project was realized using recycled materials for the interior, with a focus on highlighting the Earth both inside and out. The center was designed by Or Man Lai and is a testament to their commitment to creating spaces that promote social connection, healing, and environmental sustainability.

Or Man Lai's Green Funeral Ceremony Center has received recognition for its innovative and impactful design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2020. This prestigious award acknowledges the center's outstanding creativity and ingenuity in incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. The Green Funeral Ceremony Center truly makes a positive contribution to improving the quality of life and creating a better world.