Water forms wax
To maintain the purity of material usage, we manage to limit material categories to those that would stay as architecture itself. In other words, material we used, including during the construction period, we only would apply wax as the cemetery, concrete as retaining wall, and the water from the site as mould. Therefore, no other material would be used only for construction that nothing needs to be disposed. Cold Water is a perfect mould for wax, it can not only solidify melted wax immediately, but also endow wax a free form.
Wax obeies gravity
Thanks to the gravity, it allows the melted wax to touch the ground and compose into a solid column instead of floating on the water. To generate different areas and volume of these solid wax columns, various impact forces and dropping height need to be added. During the simulation period, we controlled the shape of solid wax through giving different extrusion force to the container of wax so that those shooted melted wax would be strong enough to break through the water and touch the ground.
Gravity scatters water
After the gravity gives the melted wax forces to break through the water, the force would transfer into the vibration of water, which would eventually calm down and surround the wax. This period is rather short that the wax would be able to become an organic shape instead of being a solid cube.
To maintain the purity of material usage, we manage to limit material categories to those that would stay as architecture itself. In other words, material we used, including during the construction period, we only would apply wax as the cemetery, concrete as retaining wall, and the water from the site as mould. Therefore, no other material would be used only for construction that nothing needs to be disposed. Cold Water is a perfect mould for wax, it can not only solidify melted wax immediately, but also endow wax a free form.
Wax obeies gravity
Thanks to the gravity, it allows the melted wax to touch the ground and compose into a solid column instead of floating on the water. To generate different areas and volume of these solid wax columns, various impact forces and dropping height need to be added. During the simulation period, we controlled the shape of solid wax through giving different extrusion force to the container of wax so that those shooted melted wax would be strong enough to break through the water and touch the ground.
Gravity scatters water
After the gravity gives the melted wax forces to break through the water, the force would transfer into the vibration of water, which would eventually calm down and surround the wax. This period is rather short that the wax would be able to become an organic shape instead of being a solid cube.
Wax Catacomb is far beyond a cemetery. As a bottom-to-top design, the key is to completely involve the function with material. Including those potential social rituals, these factors should all be generated from the unique features of wax. Wax is widely used when people hold sacrificial ceremonies. These half-transparency materials suggest the function and bring a sense of mystery to the visitors. After exploring its characters, we were able to form the wax without relying on other building materials.
Water - Wax Texture
When water hit warm wax, texture like this would be generated. These random voids on the surface create numerous unique graves for each deceased.
When water hit warm wax, texture like this would be generated. These random voids on the surface create numerous unique graves for each deceased.
Shiny Star Buried in the City
Located on the west side of Chinatown, the catacomb is surrounded by highway and parking lot. When the sun goes down, wax catacomb will flash the light and attract people from the city.
Located on the west side of Chinatown, the catacomb is surrounded by highway and parking lot. When the sun goes down, wax catacomb will flash the light and attract people from the city.
Building Process
Unlike the simulating process, in real life, helicopters or other huge machines need to be applied.
Unlike the simulating process, in real life, helicopters or other huge machines need to be applied.
Wax is not as strong as masonry or concrete, so to guarantee the catacomb can support itself. 80% percent need to be solid, which means the void, colored in white, can only take up to 20% of the whole volume
Interior Scenes are unpredictable, and each moment inside the wax catacomb would be unique. Light, Sound, Smell and Touch would all be capricious.
These 20% Void are not simply extured. They are randomly arranged but also follow the path that is created by solid. These voids can be seen as different chambers, where the bone ash would be buried.
Chambers by chambers, ashes by ashes. Visitors would go to any chamber they want without worrying about directions. After all entrance and exit are relative, it is all depends on the reference.
Pedestrians would barely see above the catacomb. But we indeed provide the opportunities for people to feel the exterior void, hopefully it would attract them to visit inside.
Wax Catacomb suits perfectly within the context, especially the geometry and the texture. After 100 years, if people got tired of it, they can always melt the wax and remake one
Night Scene
Thanks to the transparency of wax, with the light shining during the light.Not only the texture can be emphasised, but the street view would be improved.
Thanks to the transparency of wax, with the light shining during the light.Not only the texture can be emphasised, but the street view would be improved.