Beomki Lee's proposal “[ME]morial” searches new 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.

[ME]morial plans

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 recaptures individual memory and memorial space

[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.

section

model

imagination of [ME]morial earth

section detail

earth's 3D imagination creates an artifact space

model view

top view from memorial water

section 3

another perspective of water surface

model view

model view sequential