Reflecting Pool & Oculus: Upside-down oculus of the Exhibition Hall looking towards the reflecting pool creates a visceral connection with the enshrinement space. The mirror ceiling of the oculus reflects the symbolic yellow ribbon-lights located on the reflecting pool.
Balance: When does the balance between buoyancy and gravity is lost? This question kept hunting us as we listened to the students’ recordings. They described the heeling of the ship, as they waited patiently, for the balance to return. It never did. 416 Memorial Park is conceived around the experience of the heel and the reflection of balance. The reflecting pool represents the plane of balance and harmony, intersected by the tilted plane of the exhibition hall. At the intersection of these two planes, the ‘hall of harmony’ is located. Through the exterior ‘courtyard of social memories’ is how the visitors enter the ‘hall of harmony’, a cylindrical space, a symbolic dioptra. The datum line of balance is marked by a horizontal slit opening, which is connected to the reflecting pool. Water gently sips into the space. The approach to the site from the Hwarang Reservoir is through a meandering memorial walk that allows visitors varying vantage points. The slope of the walking path in relation to the reservoir, prepare the visitor to the duality of the plane of balance – which is represented by the surface of reservoir, and the plane of heeling which is the sloping walking surface.
Omnipresence: They are with us…. An upside-down oculus, facing towards the reflecting pool illuminate the Exhibition Hall from the light bouncing up the pool. The mirror ceiling of the oculus reflects the symbolic yellow ribbons. Students are there, and the visitors are perpetually reminded that the exhibited sneakers, sweaters, headphones are not everyday objects. There is a visceral connection between the physical remains of the students and their omnipresence within the spaces. Underneath the reflecting pool, the enshrinement space creates an austere place for contemplation. Light beams coming through the skylights underneath the reflecting pool gives a sense of depth and uplift. A continuous path in the form of an infinity figure connects the spaces of commemoration and enshrinement. A tree grove marks 250 special trees with a ribbon marker at their base to commemorate each student. The memorial trees will allow the families and the visitors to tie personal notes to the branches. The memorial trees are also the places for each family to hold their Jesa Ceremony.
Memorial Walk: The approach to the site from the Hwarang Reservoir is through a meandering memorial walk that allows visitors varying vantage points. The slope of the walking path in relation to the reservoir, prepare the visitor to the duality of the plane of balance – which is represented by the surface of reservoir, and the plane of heeling which is the sloping walking surface.
Hall of Harmony: The reflecting pool represents the plane of balance & harmony, intersected by the tilted plane of the exhibition hall. At the intersection of these two planes, the ‘hall of harmony’ is located. Through the exterior ‘courtyard of social memories’ is how the visitors enter the ‘hall of harmony’, a cylindrical space, a symbolic dioptra. The datum line of balance is marked by a horizontal slit opening, which is connected to the reflecting pool. Water gently sips into the space.
Enshrinement Space: Light beams coming through the skylights underneath the reflecting pool gives a sense of uplift to this austere room for contemplation.
