The À_SOMBRA project, winner of the 2023 Design for a Better World award in the Concept category, reimagines burial rituals by integrating sustainability, material innovation, and ecological regeneration. Designed by João Pedro Alves Cavalcanti and Jeanine Torres Geammal, this concept introduces biodegradable urns made from mycelium, transforming cemeteries into thriving green spaces while reducing the environmental impact of traditional burial practices.

Mycelium: A Natural Solution for Sustainable Burial
Central to the project is the use of mycelium, the root network of fungi, as the primary material for the urns. This organic, renewable, and biodegradable material decomposes fully within 30 days after burial, nourishing the soil and supporting ecological processes. Mycelium also possesses remarkable environmental properties, such as its ability to detoxify soil by breaking down pollutants and mediating nutrient exchanges between plants and fungi. These qualities make it an ideal material for environmentally conscious burial practices that contribute to soil health and ecosystem regeneration.

Eliminating Environmental and Health Risks
Unlike traditional burial methods, which often involve non-biodegradable materials and sometimes even embalming chemicals, À_SOMBRA eliminates environmental and health risks by utilising sustainable practices. Human remains are processed through cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction (NOR), methods that avoid the use of toxic substances and reduce the risk of contaminants associated with decomposition. The remains, reduced to nutrient-rich particles, are placed in the mycelium urn, which begins its process of enriching the surrounding soil shortly after burial.

Integrating Rituals with Ecological Design
The burial process integrates thoughtful design with ecological awareness. The remains, encased in the mycelium urn, are transported to a prepared burial site using a bamboo carrying structure. This bamboo component is also biodegradable and doubles as part of the memorial. A QR code embedded in the bamboo links to a digital platform where visitors can access information about the deceased and learn about the local ecosystem. As the bamboo and urn decompose, they foster the growth of lush vegetation, transforming the burial site into a vibrant natural space. The burial location remains identifiable through GPS coordinates stored on a virtual map, ensuring that the evolving green space remains meaningful and accessible to loved ones.

Redefining Cemeteries as Green Spaces
The project envisions a new role for cemeteries in urban landscapes. À_SOMBRA transforms these traditionally solemn spaces into hubs of ecological renewal, creating life-affirming environments that contribute to biodiversity and environmental restoration. By rethinking burial practices, the project offers a vision of how design can integrate cultural heritage, sustainability, and ecological responsibility.

You can find a similar project here.

Source: Designboom, João Pedro Alves Cavalcanti
Images: João Pedro Alves Cavalcanti, Jeanine Torres Geammal