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Vertical Water Lines and Climbing Plants Enhancing Community Remembrance

Authors:
Kai Wen Yeo, Hiroki Nakamichi, Anastasia Gkoliomyti
Vertical Water Lines and Climbing Plants Enhancing Community Remembrance
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Rising vertical water lines and climbing plants form a poignant connection between sites of historical atrocities and personal reflection, creating a dedicated space for community remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ground Zero serves as the central focal point for the memorial, linking reflections to global genocide sites.
02
The Cylinder of Solitude provides an intimate setting for personal contemplation, promoting individual engagement with history.
03
Vectors of Pain are expressed through vertical water lines that visually connect to historical locations, integrating nature and memory.
04
Climbing plants along the vertical elements symbolize resilience, highlighting growth amid historical suffering.
05
The project emphasizes community involvement through events that honor diverse cultures tied to the narrative of remembrance.

The Well of Hope is a memorial designed to encourage contemplation and reflection on historical atrocities, especially those associated with genocides worldwide. Located in a thoughtfully chosen environment, the structure seeks to engage individuals with the profound weight of memory. The design revolves around three main elements: Ground Zero, the Cylinder of Solitude, and the Vectors of Pain. Together, they create a space that balances personal experience with collective remembrance.

Ground Zero serves as the heart of the memorial, acting as a central point from which various vectors extend towards significant genocide sites. This layout highlights the site’s purpose, emphasizing both remembrance and a sense of responsibility. Visitors can use this focal point to navigate their thoughts, understanding the historical significance of the events being commemorated.

The Cylinder of Solitude is designed as a private space for personal reflection. It allows individuals to connect with their thoughts and feelings regarding the tragedies represented throughout the memorial. This area serves as a sanctuary, encouraging quiet contemplation amidst the larger narrative of collective memory. It becomes a place where visitors can sit with their emotions and process the stories of loss and suffering that the memorial holds.

The Vectors of Pain are another key component of the design. They represent paths leading from Ground Zero to various locations tied to genocide. These paths are visually expressed in the memorial's flooring as water lines that rise vertically, creating a clear visual connection between the memorial and the historical sites. Climbing plants are integrated into these vertical spaces, symbolizing resilience and growth that can emerge from deep suffering, connecting nature with the theme of remembrance.

The overall arrangement of space and landscaping elements provides visitors with a rich experience. The combination of water features and plant life enhances the memorial’s aesthetic while reinforcing its narrative. This living context invites reflection on both loss and hope, allowing individuals to engage deeply with the stories memorialized within its structure.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

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