NECROPOLIS ⋆

Authors: Stefan Živančev, Gorana Kandić, Olivera Miljković, Albert Topić, Milica Femić, Ana Hriešik /

The core concept of the project is the circulation of matter in nature; the idea of creating a new life out of one that has ended.

Necropolis is a conceptual vertical cemetery, created in response to the lack of space in densely populated urban areas. By merging the cemetery (usually occupying large areas), the park (a necessity for this city) and ecology, the idea of a vertical cemetery was born.

The project brief required the adaptation of the abandoned Workers’ University building in the centre of Novi Sad, assigning it a new function that could revive its empty space.

The Necropolis is divided up into several floors according their functions:

In the basement level, the coffins are received and prepared for the cremation process; the visitors’ entrance is located on the ground floor, as well as a separate liturgical area; a greenhouse of sorts is located over the following several floors. In it, the contents of the urn are mixed with soil, serving as substrate for plant growth. When a particular plant matures enough, family and friends can pick it up. On the last three levels, including the roof, a park dedicated to outstanding citizens, is formed along the same principle – by planting seedlings in the soil mixed with ashes.