Sayama Forest Burial Ground

A new building in the series of two Sayama works was completed. As with the other two works, the aim was to create architecture that accompanies the behavior of those left behind, providing a space where they can entrust their bodies.

Located in the same premises, the cemetery was planned as one of a trilogy following the Community Hall and Chapel of Sayama Lakeside Cemetery. People live by the water nourished by the forest, the water sources of Lake Tama and Lake Sayama known as the water reservoirs of Tokyo residents, and after death, they return to the land of this forest. Based on this view of life and death as a cycle, we found the forest as the subject of prayer. By viewing the existing camphor tree and forest as grave markers and praying to the forest in distance, we aimed to create a building that would allow people to remember and communicate with the deceased who have returned to the forest.

In the center, a one-meter-high small green hill-shaped cemetery and the place of worship are located facing the forest 60m away. When you sit down on the bench for prayer, the green hill hides the path and the cemetery on the premises, allowing one to create a direct connection to the forest. The parabolic surface that serves as both the roof and the wall envelops the prayer from behind.

Placing the focus of parabola at the head of the person sitting on the bench, enhances the sound just at that point, creating a sense of awakening.

The curvature of the parabola was calculated to maximize the sound collection effect.

The granite bench seat was carved out to allow the specific seating position to place the center of the head at the focal point of the parabola. The architecture acts as a parabolic antenna, collecting weak wavelengths and sounds from afar into one point. When you sit down, you suddenly wake up to the sounds of the rustling of the branches and leaves in the distant forest, and the sounds of birds and insects. It is a very personal experience. The whispers of the forest reach only the person sitting down, and the words you speak will resonate throughout the forest.

The small green hill brings the Sayama forest into view, creating a connection with the distant forest before one’s eyes.

Human voices also reach the forest, creating a unique sound field.