Ana Damjanovic

Within Johannesburg lies a dormant space, once a cemetery now forgotten – 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 integrating animal and ecological rehabilitation with urban revitalization, the project aims to create a place of solace amidst the city's hustle. The cemetery's rich history, often overlooked by nearby residents, will be resurfaced through architectural solutions to connect the present lives of people using the space and the past lives of the people buried in it. 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.