Book Urn
Transcending Remembrance.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
The emotional quality of books is something that is often overlooked: the power to evoke powerful emotions within us. This opens up an avenue to form a connection between books and urns - two objects steeped in deep sentimental emotions. Could this be a new object typology?
What if the urn was like a book?
CONCEPT
The Book Urn is a speculated application of two key properties of books onto the urn:
The first leverages a book's tactile invitation to normalize touching of the urn. The second capitalizes on a book's placement on the shelf, preserving the urn's dignity and invigorating its visual presence.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
URN FABRICATION
The urn is fabricated by chemically binding the deceased’s ashes and then physically compressing it into the form of a tablet. It is finished with the desired inscriptions on its front face and spine.
CLEAR CASING
The urn is accompanied by a full-body clear acrylic casing which is form-fitted to the urn. The interior surface is sandblasted to give a frosted effect - a visual metaphor of eternal preservation.
SLIDE GESTURE
Both the form of the urn and its casing serve to create a natural affordance of 'careful sliding', similar to how we slide a book from its shelf. This gesture reinforces dignity and sacredness.
SPINE DETAILING
Just as one might find an author's name and book title from the book's spine, the spine of the urn bears the inscription of the deceased's name and span of years to represent their life.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
ABSTRACT
This project is the outcome of an exploratory design studio, titled “Everything A Book”. The studio aims to draw inspiration from the format and properties of physical books to invent new objects that embody imaginativeness, plausibility, and value. The expected deliverable is a product or experience concept based on targeted imagination around the typology of a physical book.
PROJECT DETAILS
Exercise Type | Team of 2
Supervisor | Donn Koh
Partner | Ashlyn Wong
Duration | 12 weeks