La Cuna: Hospice Care, Death and Memory

Despite the growing interest in end-of-life care in Colombia, the concept of hospice care is still relatively new. It is an emerging topic that is controversial and debated due to cultural and societal traditions. The study seeks to find common ground relative to life and death as it tries to redefine and change the perception of death in Colombian society. This thesis is an evolving exploration into conceptualizing and designing a transitional place with spaces that allow for end-of-life care and the acknowledgement of death as a way of generating embodied memories in the city of Medellín. As a guiding principle, the project examines these ideas through elements that are part of the local culture, social construct, and the aesthetic of both the natural and built environment.