Patrícia Ptáčková
student
FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture
Czech Republic
Architektura
The area is located in the village of Dobšice in the South Moravian Region, within easy reach of the town of Znojmo. The area is located on the outskirts of… more
Omar Harb
advisor
USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik
Lebanon
As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more
A. Conceptual Strength & Contextual Fit
Strengths: Selecting Shinjuku, Tokyo, is a brilliant contextual move. Tokyo is already home to innovative cemeteries (like the Rurikoin Byakurengedo), so the jury will appreciate that your project builds on a real-world local typology. The "Vertical Cemetery" narrative is strong because it addresses a visceral urban problem: the lack of physical ground for the dead.
Critical Review: The jury will examine the "Sacred vs. Profane" balance. If the building looks too much like a standard office skyscraper, it may lose its "spiritual" gravity. The transition from the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku to the silent interior must be architecturally profound.
B. Vertical Program & Movement
Strengths: High-rise cemeteries rely heavily on automated systems or unique vertical circulation. If you have integrated an automated "retrieval" system (common in Japanese multi-story ossuaries) or a contemplative slow-moving ramp, this shows a deep understanding of the typology.
Critical Review: Jurors often check the "Atmosphere of Light." In a vertical structure, the core can become dark. If your design relies on artificial light only, it might feel claustrophobic rather than peaceful.
C. Materiality & Cultural Sensitivity
Strengths: The project likely deals with the "Aesthetics of Vanishing"—using stone, light, and water. These materials resonate with both Japanese Zen traditions and the architectural language of Tokyo.
I. The Threshold (The Entry Experience)
Suggestion: In Tokyo, the transition from public to private is vital.
Refinement: Design a "Spatial Decompression" zone. Instead of entering directly from the street, create a sunken plaza or a water-filtered lobby that "washes away" the noise of Shinjuku. This adds a layer of psychological preparation for the visitors.
II. Light as a Guiding Principle
Suggestion: A vertical cemetery should feel like it is "reaching for the sky."
Refinement: Use a central light-well or "Void" that runs the entire height of the tower. This not only provides natural light to the interior shrines but also serves as a symbolic "axis mundi" (connection between earth and heaven). For the Lumion Prize, show how the light changes throughout the day to create different moods for mourning.
III. Balancing Ritual and Technology
Suggestion: Ensure the technology (automated urn systems) doesn't overshadow the ritual.
Refinement: In your technical drawings (Archicad), show the "Machine-Spirit" duality. Detail how the mechanical elements are hidden behind screens of wood (shoji) or stone, ensuring the mourner only interacts with the "sacred" elements, even if the building is high-tech.
IV. The "Greenery of the Afterlife"
Suggestion: Tokyo lacks green space. A vertical cemetery can be a "Vertical Park."
Refinement: Incorporate "hanging gardens" or vertical forests on certain levels. This acts as a lung for Shinjuku and provides a natural, calming backdrop for the memorial spaces. If the cemetery also functions as a public park at the base, it integrates the dead into the life of the city more effectively.
V. Technical Representation (For the Jury)
Detailed Section: The jury will want to see a 1:50 or 1:100 Wall Section. How does a "shelf" for an urn look? How is it lit? How is it ventilated? Showing that you have thought about the specific size of an incense holder or a flower vase adds a level of human-centric detail that wins awards.
21.01.2026