HAEAHN Architecture-Hwaseong Hambaeksan Memorial Park
해안건축은 새로운 장례 문화를 구현하기 위해 화성 함백산 추모공원을 고인의 가족과 조문객을 위로하고 추모하는 빛과 자연의 공간으로 계획하여 함백산과 어우러져 지역의 풍광을 완성하는 공원으로 조성했다. 화성함백산추모공원은 이용자 중심의 복합장례문화공간이다. 주변 자연을 조화롭게 포용하고 하늘과 부드럽게 닿는 공간으로 “하늘로 그린 숲”이라는 디자인 컨셉을 적용하였으며, 해안건축은 의례 절차부터 장례 절차까지 고려하여 원스톱 순환 동선으로 모든 시설을 배치하였다.
To implement a new funeral culture, Haeahn Architecture planned Hwaseong Hambaeksan Memorial Park as a place of light and nature to console the deceased’s family and mourners, commemorating the memory of the deceased as the park completes the scenic beauty of the area in harmony with Mount Hambaek. Hwaseong Hambaeksan Memorial Park is a user-oriented funerary cultural complex. As the place harmoniously embraces the surrounding nature and softly touches the sky, we applied the design concept “the Forest painted with the Sky”, Haeahn Architecture allocated all facilities along the one-stop circular route in consideration of the ceremonial procedure, from funeral services to cremation to enshrinement.
It was challenging to design a funerary cultural complex with smoothly connected physical spaces where proper procedures take place – from the funeral hall to the cremation facility to the enshrinement hall and outdoor burial sites. To seek a solution, Haeahn Architecture researched visitors’ approaches from adjacent cities and proper ceremonial procedures to commemorate the deceased and applied intuitive way-finding to the facility layout. Another challenge to overcome was implementing a certified barrier-free zone applied to public buildings, albeit located in a naturally hilly area. Haeahn Architecture successfully implemented pedestrian-friendly facilities fitted with a ramp gradient, which is safe and convenient for senior citizens and the physically challenged.
The main goal was to design and build minimally invasive, environmentally friendly public buildings in the nature reserve. For this, Haeahn Architecture invested a lot in preliminary work to install an eco-friendly bridge, excavate cultural relics, and conserve the natural habit of narrow-mouthed toads protected by Gyeonggi province. Haeahn Architecture chose the primary finish materials based on the concept of returning to nature due to the characteristic of funeral ceremonies. In pursuit of modern function and harmony, emotional and environmental, in restrained colors, Haeahn Architecture used local granite, aluminum panels, grille louvers, and double low-E glass as the finish materials for exteriors. Furthermore, to create spaces where mourning families can find emotional relief and composure in nature, Haeahn Architecture applied wood flooring, wood veneers, and environmentally friendly wallpapers to the funeral hall, in contrast to granite and granite tiles to the cremation hall, and granite and marbles to the enshrinement hall.
Haeahn Architecture aimed to create natural, environmentally friendly indoor and outdoor spaces actively connected to their surrounding environment, and for this, plans for major facilities were set up as follows: Firstly, Haeahn Architecture designed the funeral hall connected to nature as a terrace-type hall fitted with clerestories allowing subtle lights. Such a space design allows the host to welcome mourners surrounded by pleasant nature, unlike dark and stuffy funeral halls commonly found in the city. Secondly, Haeahn Architecture applied a U-shape courtyard to the floor plan of the cremation hall, where mourners experience intense grief, and separated the entrance and exit to minimize emotional interference among users adopting a one-way route.
Mourners’ walk toward bidding farewell to their beloved is lit with various lights through the sky-like ceiling, while the serene water on the ground and gradual patterns in interior spaces are designed to console the sadness felt by mourning families. Thirdly, Haeahn Architecture installed filtered skylights high up in the central hall of the bright and pleasant enshrinement hall where the departed rest in peace, for gentle lights and breezes, making mourners feel more welcome. By applying shell-type chambers to the enshrinement hall, Haeahn Architecture proposed a clear conceptual direction while respecting users’ privacy from the central hall.
Photography by Namsun Lee
from archdaily