Cemeteries in perpetuity are among the most consistently overlooked spaces. New RMIT research explores how these spaces can be transformed into inclusive and dynamic urban environments.
PhD graduate Isabel Lasala:
"Cemeteries have long been central to our relationship with death, traditionally viewed as sacred and static places.
"But what if we reimagined cemeteries as dynamic, hybrid spaces shaped by time, memory, and ecological processes?
"Rather than viewing their gradual decay as failure, we could explore design-driven alternatives that merge the contrasting forces of grief and play, transforming decay into a catalyst for civic engagement.
"This approach could inspire innovative design strategies for revitalising forgotten urban spaces, creating a new type of urban environment that bridges grief and play, memory and adaptation."
Watch the video on RMIT's Instagram.
Isabel Lasala is an architect and landscape architect, and one of the directors of Lasala & Lasala Design Studio.
Isabel will be conferred at the RMIT doctoral degrees graduation ceremony on Wednesday 13 May.
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