Olson Kundig Architects developed the design for Recompose, an after-death facility in Seattle that sets itself apart as the first-of-its-kind center to offer "natural organic reduction" services on-site. At the facility, human remains will be converted to soil in roughly 30 days, offering a more sustainable alternative to cremation or conventional burial options.
The patent-pending process of creating nutrient-rich soil involves placing bodies in a controlled, modular and reusable vessel, covered in wood chips, to allow for aeration and decomposition. According to Recompose, "Everything—including bones and teeth—is transformed. That’s because the system creates the perfect environment for thermophilic microbes and beneficial bacteria to break everything down quite quickly."
Notably, Recompose Seattle is possible because Washington became the first US state to legalize human composting as of 2018.
Sustainable After-Death Centers
'Recompose' Offers an On-Site "Natural Organic Reduction” Service
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable After-death Centers - Innovative after-death centers are emerging to offer eco-friendly alternatives to cremation and conventional burial, such as 'natural organic reduction' services.
2. Human Composting - The legalization of human composting in select states provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the funeral industry, as it allows for the creation of nutrient-rich soil from human remains.
3. Modular Decomposition Vessels - The use of controlled, modular and reusable vessels for decomposition offers a scalable solution for sustainable after-death practices, enabling the efficient breakdown of human remains using thermophilic microbes and beneficial bacteria.
Industry Implications
1. Funeral Services - The funeral industry has the potential to introduce new services and facilities that cater to environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable after-death options, such as natural organic reduction and human composting.
2. Architecture and Design - Architects and designers have an opportunity to create innovative and aesthetically pleasing after-death centers that integrate modular and reusable decomposition vessels, providing a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to funeral services.
3. Environmental Conservation - The emergence of sustainable after-death practices like human composting and natural organic reduction highlights the intersection between the funeral industry and environmental conservation, promoting the utilization of decomposed human remains as nutrient-rich soil.