In 2016, the cremation rate in South Korea skyrocketed to 82 percent, a significant change from the mere 20 percent recorded in 1994. This shift in funerary culture led to the rapid filling of the first columbarium at the Suncheon Municipal Memorial Park, which opened in 2014. In response, the City of Suncheon initiated a project to construct a second columbarium.

Despite the increasing popularity of cremation, public columbariums in Korea often lack emotional sensitivity for those grieving the loss of a loved one. In recognition of this issue, the goal for the new columbarium is to provide not only a storage facility for cremation urns but also an atmosphere of comfort and support for the bereaved.

The new columbarium site is adjacent to a chaotic and visually cluttered parking lot, offering little solace to those visiting. To address this, the design incorporates four exterior gardens surrounding the building. These gardens serve as physical and psychological buffer zones, offering a peaceful refuge for reflection and contemplation. The solid walls surrounding the gardens vary in height to provide privacy, while each garden features its own unique landscape elements.

The new columbarium offers a landscape of embrace, where the interplay of light and nature allows for a space of mourning and remembrance. The design seeks to provide solace and comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one, creating a place for them to dwell in loving memory.