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Concrete Sanctuary with Ascent Pathway for Urban Meditation

Authors:
雨欣 林, 嘉宁 孙, 宇晴 潘, 航 于
Concrete Sanctuary with Ascent Pathway for Urban Meditation

Project in-detail

Constructed with concrete shear walls, the cabins provide a private sanctuary that encourages introspection through a carefully designed ascent pathway, enhancing the urban meditation experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Two concrete shear walls provide structural support and stability against seismic activity.
02
The design includes a designated climbing meditation route that encourages physical engagement.
03
Natural light enters the cabins from multiple angles, enhancing the meditative experience.
04
Each cabin is designed to fit seamlessly into various urban environments, promoting adaptability.
05
Spaces are included for stray animals, linking community needs with individual reflection.

The Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabins aim to address the need for personal reflection spaces in a busy city. Located in a vibrant area of Tokyo, these cabins serve as places for meditation and tranquility. The design combines simple forms with a focus on how light interacts with the space, creating an environment that promotes mental well-being.

Structural Support
Two concrete shear walls provide the main support for each cabin. These walls are secured to the ground with a strip foundation, ensuring stability in the event of seismic activity. The design features stairs that are cast with the walls, reinforcing their structural connection. Beams connecting the walls add another layer of support, creating a sturdy and reliable framework.

Pathway of Discovery
The layout encourages movement through an ascending walking route that leads to three meditation boxes. This design invites users to embark on a journey of introspection. The path encourages individuals to engage with the space and its surroundings. As they walk, they experience varying qualities of light, which enhances each moment of reflection along the way.

Connection to the City
The cabins are intended to fit into different urban spaces, whether in a lively neighborhood or a quiet park. Each cabin provides a private area for thought without isolating users from city life's energy. This adaptability shows the design's intention to be part of various environments, making it relevant to different communities.

Community Considerations
The project also incorporates features that emphasize community engagement, including climbing meditation routes and spaces for stray animals. These elements demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility. They highlight the importance of creating spaces that are not just for individual use but also foster connections with the local community.

The design emphasizes the relationship between light and space, with natural illumination playing a key role. Each meditation box captures light differently throughout the day, creating varied experiences that enhance the sense of tranquility.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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