# Project Description Too Broke to Die Stella Wang Summary Final work Spatial and exhibition designer exploring narrative-driven environments across culture, community, and sustainability. With a spatial design and event production background, she creates collaborative experiences that tell meaningful stories. Spatial and exhibition designer exploring narrative-driven environments across culture, com... College Central Saint Martins Course MA Narrative Environments Graduation year 2025 Too Broke to Die responds to Beijing’s burial crisis, where cemetery plots cost around £14,000—far more than the city’s median annual income of £2,000. With no new cemeteries allowed and cremation mandated, families face limited, costly options. Traditional burials are fading, leaving many unable to afford a respectful farewell. Our project reimagines remembrance by drawing on Beijing’s cultural roots. Most cemeteries lie far from the city, requiring 1.5 hours of travel each way. Yet Chinese tradition values burial in the earth for peace in the afterlife. People are forced to choose between high costs and abandoning these beliefs. Our pilot, Gui Chen Ci Tang (归尘瓷堂), transforms a Cold War shelter into an underground cemetery. “Ci” means both porcelain and farewell; “Ci Tang” refers to ancestral halls. The space is shaped like a cave, with mountain and water elements inspired by traditional grave aesthetics. Ashes are turned into bone china tiles to help fund the site, potentially making services free for families. These objects offer a lasting, tangible way to grieve and remember. Too Broke to Die proposes a new, dignified, and affordable way to honour the dead in a city running out of space to mourn. A project co-directed with Weiyi Liu Collaborators: Mr.Huang , 3D Animation Specialist Mr.Guo, Bone China Specialist Mr.Zhao, Babaoshan Cemetery Manager Ms. Mao, Insurance Specialist from Taikang Insurance Final work Too Broke to Die Traditional burials fade, leaving many unable to afford a respectful farewell, and families face the decision between economics and ritual Spatial design of the Memorial Hall Suspended light towers honour ancestors in a serene memorial hall, where glowing names and soft shadows evoke reverence and continuity. Worshiping ancestors The wall curves into a shelf-like table, providing a space for mourners to kneel and worship their departed family members. Too Broke to Die: Where the Living Can't Afford the Dead When land runs out and tradition endures, how should a city bury not only its dead, but also the memories, histories, and promises they carry? Share this project Too Broke to Die responds to Beijing’s burial crisis, where cemetery plots cost around £14,000—far more than the city’s median annual income of £2,000. With no new cemeteries allowed and cremation mandated, families face limited, costly options. Traditional burials ar... A link to this page has been added to your clipboard Browse related work Community Futures Places & Spaces Social Justice Politics Vernacular InteriorDesign