Yunil Nam

Inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, ‘The Reef of Silence’ explores a funerary venue and coral cultivation facility within underwater structure alongside investigation into cultural and environmental issues in Indian Ocean. In Indian Zoroastrianism, the historical and religious funerary place called ‘Tower of Silence’ has a purpose of revitalising endangered vultures preying upon human dead body in addition to its religious meaning. Visionary burials called ‘Tectonic Vultures’ consist of new techniques in body decomposition such as freeze-drying and liquefaction transforming human body into nutrients in forms of powder and liquid. Then, coral, which is urban infrastructure of marine life, is fed by those vultures and ready for transplanting back into the nature. Although, the tectonic vultures are the most crucial componentry providing huge benefit to rehabilitate wider marine life, a manipulated architectural skin plays a significant role in a foundation for the coral to settle down and accelerate in its growth. Eventually, it will be covering the whole skin and become natural reef structure establishing underwater city of marine life.