Architects unveil plans for floating columbarium
Designers say vessel with 37,000 niches could solve land problem and dock during festivals
A local architecture firm has come up with an ingenious way to alleviate the growing shortage of burial space - by turning a ship into a floating columbarium.
Bread Studio has developed the concept, which it calls Floating Eternity, with space for 370,000 niches.
The vessel would float in waters off Hong Kong and dock only during the annual Ching Ming and Chung Yeung festivals, when people traditionally pay respects to their loved ones.
On normal days throughout the year, visitors would be able to take a ferry to the columbarium anchored offshore.
Bread Studio co-founder Paul Mui believes the idea makes financial and practical sense.
"Some might say it's too expensive to renovate a ship into a floating columbarium, but this isn't true," Mui, 33, said.