Death is an inevitable journey for everyone, whether in rural or urban settings. How can we confront this certainty? Beyond ancient customs, what new ways can we find to reflect on and honor death? This question arises whether it concerns the loss of loved ones or the conclusion of one’s own life. Commissioned by the Xiuwu County Government and the cemetery owner, the Longshan Cemetery Small Auditorium project seeks to explore these themes.
Longshan Cemetery is situated on a barren mountain west of Caipo Village, Qixian Town, Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. It primarily serves the surrounding towns and villages of Jiaozuo City and Xiuwu County. The auditorium’s site occupies a triangular plot at the northwest corner of a mine backfill area just outside the cemetery’s main entrance. The north side borders the burning worship area, while the west side faces the main road and the cemetery’s administrative reception, resulting in an inevitably noisy environment.
The project, named “Immortal Hall” by its owner, symbolizes humanity’s yearning for eternity despite our limited lifespan. Experiencing and witnessing death may bring us closest to understanding the mystery of immortality. At these moments, we reconnect deeply with nature, confirming our interdependence with all life rather than ultimate separation.
Our goal was to create a serene and introspective space, allowing visitors to escape the constant sounds of mourning, passing electric scooters, and burning smoke. Within the architecture, people can focus on the fundamental elements of life—light, water, earth, sky, clouds, stones, and trees. This space reflects not only the end of life but also a new beginning, symbolizing the endless cycle of existence.
△ Model
We enclosed the triangular site with tall walls, leaving only a narrow opening on the southern side to connect with the outside world. Visitors enter through a high-walled walkway after cleansing their hands at a fountain pool positioned at the entrance. A narrow gap between the low, dimly lit porch and the tall walls frames glimpses of sky and a few pine and cypress trees. The burning area to the north becomes almost imperceptible from inside. Mourners can sit on benches beneath the porch and quietly observe the shifting clouds and light above.
Inside the main hall, light gradually brightens from the entrance toward the far end, where a raised podium opens to the sky through narrow gaps on both sides. A small stream runs along the wall, connecting back to the fountain pool at the entrance, symbolizing the cycle of life. The gentle sound of flowing water permeates the space, inviting calm reflection.
Custom copper fixtures—including elongated ceiling lights, door handles, and baseboard lighting—feature triangular cross-sections that harmonize with the building’s geometric plan. The equilateral triangle symbolizes life’s perfection, energy flow, and transcendence beyond dimensions.
The one-way flow of entry and exit preserves the privacy of each mourner. After the ceremony, visitors leave by walking counterclockwise along a long, one-way corridor to the exit. On their way out, they pass the fountain pool once more to listen to the soothing sound of water before departing.
△ Model
Drawings and Models
△ General layout plan
△ Plan view
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Model
Project Information
Project Type: Religious Architecture
Location: Jiaozuo, China
Designer: Studio10
Area: 93 m²
Year: 2020
Lead Architect: Zhou Shi
Design Team: Huang An, Mo Chunhui, Zheng Xin, Chen Zhenjie (intern), Shen Liangyu (intern), Wu Hao (intern), Yu Yue (intern), Bao Jiaxiao (project assistant), Chen Feifei (project assistant), Tang Ming (project assistant)
Client: Longshan Cemetery in Xiuwu County / Xiuxin Shangwu Cultural Development Co., Ltd., Xiuwu County
Structural Design: Li Shaohui
Graphic Design Consultant: SURE Design
Lighting Design Consultant: Shenzhen Mart Lighting Design Consultant Co., Ltd
Photographers: Zhang Chao, Bruce Zheng
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