Yushan Cemetery ReDesign

Traditional cemeteries in China often create discomfort for nearby residents, as cultural beliefs discourage living close to burial grounds. The original Yushan Cemetery had an austere appearance and visually clashed with the surrounding vibrant urban district, discouraging both visits and surrounding development. This redesign aimed to transform the site from a place people avoid into a welcoming, contemplative space that harmonizes with its urban context.

As the city expanded around the Yushan Cemetery, what was once an isolated burial site became surrounded by high-rise residences, offices, and schools. This proximity intensified public unease, as traditional Chinese beliefs discourage daily interaction with spaces associated with death. Residents saw the cemetery as a visual and cultural intrusion, creating tension between the living city and this static, somber space.

We approached the project by reframing the cemetery as part of the city’s cultural landscape rather than a hidden or avoided zone. Inspired by nearby natural forms, we envisioned a canopy that visually merges with the city’s skyline while concealing the grave plots beneath a soft, continuous surface. This allowed the cemetery to visually “disappear” from above, viewed from surrounding towers, while providing a shaded, contemplative environment at ground level.

Through this transformation, the cemetery shifts from a site of avoidance to a place of reflection, history, and urban culture. The redesign preserves the dignity of the burial grounds while inviting the community to walk through, gather, and see it as part of the city’s living fabric rather than a barrier to growth.

Design Process

Cultural and Site Analysis

The process began with an in-depth study of cultural attitudes surrounding burial sites in China to understand why the existing cemetery generated discomfort. This analysis revealed that the exposed nature of the cemetery conflicted with the traditional belief that death should remain separate from daily life. Site studies also mapped its immediate surroundings, which include dense clusters of residential towers, offices, and schools, showing how the cemetery sits at the center of a rapidly growing urban district. Height studies of nearby buildings, some reaching 100 meters, helped identify critical sightlines from which the cemetery’s appearance would most affect the skyline.

Urban Integration Strategy

With these insights, the next phase focused on reconnecting the cemetery to its urban context. The team evaluated how to reduce its visual impact from nearby towers while weaving it into the city’s green space network. New pedestrian paths were planned to connect the cemetery grounds to surrounding streets and parks, transforming it from an isolated plot into part of a continuous public landscape. This strategy aimed to soften the site’s boundaries and create a more open, walkable environment while preserving its solemn character.

Concept Development

Concept generation explored how architectural interventions could change both the perception and function of the cemetery. Two primary design directions emerged: an ETFE membrane canopy and a steel lattice shell. The ETFE design proposed a light, semi-transparent surface that floats like a cloud over the cemetery, symbolizing peace and impermanence. The steel lattice design drew from the flowing forms of nearby hills, using an undulating structure to create a sculptural landscape. Both options concealed the graves from above while creating shaded, human-scaled spaces below. After extensive user interviews, the membrane canopy turned out to be the preferred form.

3D Modeling and Visualization

Digital modeling and rendering in Rhino and Grasshopper translated the conceptual ideas into precise spatial forms. The canopy structures were tested from ground-level and rooftop perspectives to ensure they would blend with the surrounding urban skyline. Visualizations and renderings helped study how light filtered through during the day and how subtle illumination could create a warm, respectful presence at night. This step was crucial for ensuring the design would be both comforting to visitors on-site and harmonious from afar.

Refinement and User Experience

The final phase refined circulation, landscaping, and human interaction within the space. Pathways were laid out to guide visitors through a calm and continuous journey, with shaded resting points along the way. Low-profile memorial markers and signage were incorporated to preserve the dignity of the cemetery while allowing the space to serve as a contemplative park. These refinements helped shift the site from a space of avoidance to one that encourages engagement, reflection, and everyday use.