Rest in Peace: Encouraging empathy, compassion and interconnectedness through the design of a rehabilitation centre within Braamfontein Cemetery

Abstract

Within Johannesburg lies a dormant space, once a cemetery now forgotten – a relic of the past amidst the hustle and bustle of the city – the Braamfontein Cemetery. This thesis proposes a transformation, seeking to breathe life into this neglected space by integrating an animal rehabilitation centre and archive facility within its grounds, and tying it all together with public spaces and a large walkway. By merging the ideas of animal and ecological rehabilitation, urban revitalisation, and the fostering of connections between humans, nature and animals, this project aims to transform the Braamfontein Cemetery into a place of solace within the busy city. This centre would not only serve as a sanctuary for injured, abandoned and unwanted animals but also as a refuge for city dwellers seeking rest from the stressful and fast-paced living that comes with being in the city. The cemetery has a rich history that is seemingly forgotten by the people that reside so close to it. This thesis aims to use architectural solutions to resurface this history in order to foster a connection between the present lives of people using the space and the past lives of the people buried in it. Drawing inspiration from the ideologies of posthumanism, post-anthropocentrism, existentialism and memory, human-animal relationships and ecological restoration, this thesis explores the potential of reimagining forgotten, green urban spaces as vibrant ecosystems through the use of architecture. Ultimately, this thesis strives to not only revitalise a neglected space but to also cultivate a sense of interconnectedness among all living and non-living beings, fostering empathy, understanding, and reverence for the natural world and for the necropolis .