Ithaca

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• Architects

Columbarium at the Forest Cemetery, Riga Latvia.

Nomadism representative of our own existential journey, and migration from life to death, are at the origin of a symbolic topography. Through distinct physical artefacts its coordinates organize a space of individual introspection but also of relationship with others and celebration of life.

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The Columbarium represents the embrace, the union, the community. Being together to remember and share. Enclosed around a central waterpool. Water as life, origin and growth of all existences on our planet. Meaning purification in all the religious affiliations.

The Promenade suspended over the landscape connects Columbarium and Tower. Walking on the Promenade is an act of contemplation and a meditation on the cycle of life. Slowly crossing different observation points it provides the visitor with a variety of spatial/visual experiences immersed in light and shadow.

The Tower refers to a broad spectrum of functional and symbolic buildings belonging to a human community: minaret, bell tower, clock tower, water tower, lighthouse. And birds fly around it, looking for food and shelter, even during their journey of migration. Latvia is among one of the world’s three most important bird migration paths. Thousands of different birds navigate the country using such peaks as pit stops and orientation landmarks.

The Columbarium, the Tower, the Promenade are merged into a spontaneous landscape framing the power of their symbolism. Nature appropriates the designed place, becoming a connective element and amplifier of an almost metaphysical abstraction. At the same time the built artifacts tune on the context – with and adaptive strategy – gradually revealing themselves to the visitor.