Challenging an archetypal relationship between collective memory and a multitude of traditional memorials, “[ME]morial” presents a new concept in memorial architecture based on the reinterpretation of Freud’s and Bergson’s ideas of memory. [ME]morial emphasizes a new relationship between individual memory and the individual to offer a new way of experiencing memorial space. Contemporary architecture’s focus on communal memory has led to the primacy of a single image or rendering. Thus memorial architecture tends to miss opportunities for deeper exploration and individualized experiences beyond simplistic representations of memorialized events or figures.

This thesis project proposes a memorial architecture for victims of the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, Japan. Three spatially different [ME]morials are the starting point for this open-ended project. The goal of the project is to create a new relationship between individual memory and the individuals, such that each individual will have personalized experiences in each [ME]morial. [ME]morial will serve as a space not only for soothing victims’ wounded hearts, but also for letting people memorialize their individual memories. The project seeks to challenge and extend traditional architectural definitions of memorial architecture.