As funeral poverty and costs continue to increase in Scotland, a talented Architecture student at Robert Gordon University’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment has proposed a sustainable and respectful solution for the North-east.
Sophie Perrott, who is in her final year of studies, has designed a resomation complex and memorial gardens which would be located on Craigingles Hill and woodland in Maryculter; a site which forms an isolated island to the South-east of the River Dee.
Resomation is a sustainable, harmless and environmentally beneficial method of human disposition which, in 2016, the Scottish government passed legislation to legalise.
Inspired by Neolithic stone circles unique to North-east of Scotland, the form of the proposed development draws on this landform shape, taking mourners on a journey to experience the five stages of grief and encouraging them to feel at inner peace before returning to their daily lives.
“I felt the most appropriate way to explore everyday architecture was to focus on aspects of life and death; daily occurrences we all come to experience at some point,” Sophie said.
“The design of the complex takes mourners on a journey; encouraging them to experience different stages of the grief, which subsequently aids the process of acceptance and inner healing.
“The complex, although filled with sadness, enables people to see the light. The development helps maintain memories of loved ones immersed within the architecture and mostly within the nature of the woodland environment, keeping them alive forever.”
Sophie’s design for the memorial garden boundary wall is divided into five different conditions, each reflecting a different stage of the grieving process – denial, recall, acceptance, release and goodbye.
Sophie’s project, along with many other innovative and creative designs, will be on display at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture End of Year Show, which opens on Saturday, June 23, in the Sir Ian Wood Building and is open from 8am to 10pm weekdays and 10am to 6pm at the weekend.
For more information please visit www.rgu.ac.uk/scotts-show-2018
