Full cycle: [promession in the city]
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Date
2020-11
Authors
Kassimatis, Dehan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
I still remember that afternoon and the phone call that would scar the 7th of December 2005 in my memory forever. By drawing on the tragedy of losing three of my closest friends and the mourning process that accompanied this tragedy, this dissertation aims to introduce an alternative memorial complex within the heart of Bloemfontein.
This alternative burial complex will evolve around the topic of promession, a burial
method that returns the remains to the earth in the form of nutrient rich soil. Interest
in the topic was further extended upon the realization of how death influences society
as well as the environment. Through investigating various cultural and religious rituals surrounding death as well as the way the topic of death is perceived in a contemporary society, the memorial complex aims to reinterpret and embody this non-place within the Bloemfontein CBD. Additionally, the development seeks to explore ways in which the abandoned towers can be reinterpreted and integrated within the proposed design. This dissertation firstly identifies and introduces the topic of promession, and the perimeters associated with the project through a statement of aims. Thereafter it seeks to explore and ground concepts through research, analysis, and theoretical approaches to death of the physical and metaphysical. These concepts and theoretical approaches will then be applied in order to form a design and technical synthesis. In conclusion, the dissertation reflects on and evaluates the complete investigative process with the focus on the way in which the conceptual exploration, theoretical approach and research aided in the development.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2020, Death and burial, Promession, a burial method