CEMETERY ART

Wollongong Memorial Gardens Masterplan

Apr 6, 2018

In late 2014, Wollongong City Council embarked on a masterplanning exercise for 2 of its key interment sites, Wollongong Lawn Cemetery in Kembla Grange and Wollongong Memorial Gardens in Berkeley. Its aim was to ascertain growth opportunities, maximise the use of the location and identify areas for improvements whilst providing a financial and environmentally sustainable operation. Our practice put together a team of sub-consultants including Changing Places (operations advice), RSM Bird Cameron (Financial modelling), IGNITE (Architects), Triaxial Consulting (Engineers) and Biosis (Ecologists).
The tasks:

Analyse both the operations and the physical site
Conduct stakeholder’s consultation
Create a vision for both sites
Present recommendations for operational, landscape and building issues
Prepare a staging plan for the implementation of the above recommendations
Prepare a financial model for selected implementation scenarios. The project was delivered over a period of 6 months.

Wollongong Memorial Gardens Masterplan

Client
Wollongong City Council

Location
Berkeley, Wollongong, NSW

Size
7.5 Ha

Consultancy Type
Lead- Small multi-disciplinary team

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Mona Vale Tree Grove Memorial Garden

Apr 4, 2018

With limited ash memorialisation left and a grove of existing Eucalyptus trees-the only land left in the cemetery- the Council sought some ideas on creating a Bushland Memorial Garden around these majestic and much-loved trees.
With stringent constraints around root impact and accessibility for tree management works, the proposed layout is a series of spaces with Artwork and secluded contemplation areas.
Stage 1 is due for construction mid- 2018.

Mona Vale Tree Grove Memorial Garden

Client
Mona Vale, NSW

Location
Campbelltown, NSW

Size
1,800 m2

Consultancy Type
Lead- Small multi-disciplinary team

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Yan Yean Cemetery

Apr 4, 2018

Yan Yean cemetery is run by a volunteer Trust with a Vision: to create a memorable destination for the dead and the living. They subscribe to our philosophy : “ a cemetery should be designed as a Park and perform its social function well after it is full”. As such, we have designed a cemetery which enhances its existing attributes (water feature and Chapel) and weaves paths and artwork in key locations. In introducing sculptural architectural and memorial elements never seen before, we have ensured the unique and forward-thinking position of this growing site.

Yan Yean Cemetery

Client
Yan Yean Cemetery Trust

Location
Yan Yean, Plenty Road

Size
5.35 Hectares

Consultancy Type
Lead – small team

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Young cemetery Masterplan

Apr 3, 2018

Having purchased additional land in the vicinity of the existing cemetery, Council embarked on a Masterplanning exercise, ahead of running out of time, knowing that the development of a new site can take up to 5 years of planning and construction.
With difficult constraints in topography and ecology, the site had a multitude of challenges.
Our services started with public and stakeholder consultation: first at the onset of the project and later, after the formulation of a preliminary Masterplan.
The Final Masterplan, which incorporated community feedback, offers a clear staging plan providing the full range of memorialisation and burial options, outdoor chapel, road network and parking facilities for a progressive and affordable implementation.

Young cemetery Masterplan

Client
Hilltops Council

Location
Young, NSW

Size
9 Ha

Consultancy Type
Lead- Small multi-disciplinary team

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Mongolian Cemeteries

Apr 2, 2018

Statue in East West cemetery in Mongolia

Indoor view of East West cemetery in Mongolia

Our company was entrusted with the Masterplan of both the east and west Ulaanbaatar cemeteries, the first private cemeteries in Mongolia.
The “New Mind Group LLC” established their sites in 2012 and 2007 respectively, laying them out in a traditional grid pattern around a central Buddha figure. Unhappy with the result and the barren landscape, they sought guidance for improvements.
After experiencing the funeral procedures and understanding their cultural and religious beliefs, we were able to workshop the solutions with their staff and generate a landscape masterplan which responds to the harsh environment (40 C in summer and minus 35 C in winter) and the restricted plant palette of a 1500m altitude.
It became one of the most fulfilling projects of our practice, working with one the most spiritual and welcoming culture in the world.

East and West cemeteries, Mongolia

Client
New Mind Group LLC

Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Size
2 Ha each

Consultancy Type
Lead

Achievement
First in Mongolia

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