This is a large Jinbaoshan cemetery located on the oceanfront, 40 minutes drive from the island's capital, Taipei. There are already 10,000 tombs there, while a 150,000 urn columbarium is planned for Stephen Hall's new Ocean Pavilion. In addition, the architect developed a project for a multifunctional building at the entrance to the necropolis.
Of these two adjacent buildings, the Ocean Pavilion plays the leading role: from the outside, it looks like a series of intersecting hemispheres on the water surface. The project is based on the "Borromean rings" motif, which can be found in Buddhist religious art, on ancient Roman mosaics and Viking runestones. Linked rings also mean the laws of karma and the "interconnectedness of life." Such a "multicultural" symbol is quite suitable for a necropolis, where equal respect for all religions of the world is postulated.
The white concrete walls match the Ocean Pavilion with black granite floors and hinoki cypress doors. In the large and small ceremonial halls, designed for 1000 people and 50 clergymen, it is also planned to use alabaster and leaf gold.
Solar panels will be installed below the surface of the surrounding sphere of the reservoir, at a depth of several inches, which will provide 60% of the electricity needs of both new buildings. The water will cool the batteries, which will increase their efficiency by 20%.
Less than half of the Ocean Pavilion will be located above the surface of the earth, most of the premises will be arranged underground. An open amphitheater will be erected next to the building.
The lobby building will include the lobby itself, a ceremonial hall, an auditorium, a columbarium, an art gallery, an Educational Life Museum, a 21-room hotel, a shop, a salon and a restaurant.
The construction of the complex with an area of 54,000 m2 will begin in 2015.
