The Zunyi Memorial Monument for Organ Donation serves as a serene public space where the general public, donor families, and various social groups—especially young people—can come together to mourn and honor organ donors. This includes donors of whole bodies, corneal tissue, and other human organs. The monument expresses deep admiration for their selfless dedication and spirit of love. The architect was commissioned by the client to contribute to this semi-public welfare project closely tied to the theme of life.
Situated in a citizens’ leisure and fitness square at the southwest corner of Fenghuang Mountain, the project is adjacent to the entrance of Fenghuangshan Tunnel and near the mountain’s base. It benefits from convenient transportation links to the city, allowing visitors to access it easily by walking up the steps from the foot of the mountain.
The design respects the original site and its natural environment by only removing some fitness equipment, while fully preserving existing features such as the resting pavilion and the basic layout of the square. This approach maximizes harmony with the surrounding environment. The new structure adopts a simple and understated form, fostering a humble and open engagement with both the natural landscape and the contemporary social and cultural context.
Design Philosophy
The architecture celebrates life: those who choose to donate their bodies or organs before death embody an optimistic and radiant spirit. The design centers around the concept of “brightness”—the light of life that, whether strong or faint, scatters to illuminate a corner with beauty and tranquility. This serves as the foundational inspiration for the monument.
Poetry in architecture: The Zunyi Memorial Monument for Organ Donation embraces an open-ended design with loosely defined functional boundaries, allowing spiritual and poetic interpretations to take precedence. As Peter Zumthor said, “Architecture itself has never been poetic.” Architects serve as connectors between the material and spiritual realms, providing both physical and emotional empowerment.
Emptiness: The concept of “emptiness” is a consistent approach architects use when addressing commemorative spaces. Instead of focusing on a central object, the design emphasizes the place itself, inviting quiet and contemplative experiences. This idea creates a focal point of light, with walls radiating outward and subtly embedded into the rolling terrain at the mountain’s base. This moment of inspiration transforms an ordinary, unremarkable site into a space of awakening and enlightenment.
Venue Layout and Materiality
The monument functions as a compact, everyday venue made entirely of white concrete cast in the form of chimes. It integrates seamlessly with the natural trees and terrain at the mountain’s base. The building materials are pure and solid, creating a sense of connection and harmony, as if the monument has organically emerged from the earth.
Different terraces and stairways radiate outward, providing seating and contemplative spaces. The winding path up the terraces guides visitors through the site, culminating in a circular area at the core, which includes monuments, memorial walls, and benches. This space accommodates small commemorative gatherings of 50 to 60 people.
From the flower bed, visitors can look back toward the city’s vibrant lights, experiencing the beauty of life amidst moments of reflection and contemplation. Donors’ names are engraved on white marble slabs, with each engraving session becoming a memorial ceremony in itself.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Functional Flow Analysis Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Architect: Linhe Architecture Studio
Area: 178 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Octopus Seeks Architecture
Manufacturers: Wuxi Xinfanyu Metal Products Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Shengyuan Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd., Albo
Lead Architect: Li Linxue
Design Team: Zhou Kaifeng, Liu Yang, Shan Yunxiang, Hou Miaomiao, Wen Lianghan, Liu Congcong, Ma Xiao
Owner: Municipal Red Cross Society
Location: Zunyi, China
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