Hotel for Mourning

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Architectural Association School - Inter 11 - Year 2

Pt 2 - Island of Ashes

When we visited Lanzarote, the powerful presence of the volcanic ash confirmed the view that it would be important to link the ashes of the dead with the ashes of the landscape. It immediately made a connection to the wording of the funerary prayer of “dust to dust, ashes to ashes”, and that Lanarote would be a very appropriate prlace that woud bring about a very poetic conclusion of dealing with the dead.

Rituals

I looked into rituals that exist in other parts of the world. Despite varying customs, two things became clear.

1. Water symbolism

One finding regards the significance of water in rituals that deal with death. Water is important for symbolic and practical reasons.

2. Spatial sequence of rituals

From an architectural point of view, rituals necessitates of three types of spaces.

- semi-private or public spaces for social gathering,
- private spaces for contemplation, and
- a path connecting the journey