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Cork Insulation and Polycarbonate Structure Enhance Urban Meditation Spaces

Authors:
Patrycja Migała, Filip Bielecki
Cork Insulation and Polycarbonate Structure Enhance Urban Meditation Spaces

Project in-detail

Constructed from polycarbonate and cork, the meditation cabin offers a refuge for urban dwellers seeking mindfulness and tranquility amidst Tokyo’s fast-paced environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditation cabin integrates user-friendly technology for activation through a mobile app.
02
Cabin features a customizable environment with sound and light options for personal relaxation.
03
Polycarbonate panels provide both durability and a unique visual experience.
04
Cork insulation enhances thermal comfort while contributing to environmental sustainability.
05
The cabin alters its transparency during use to promote privacy and focus.

The openmind オープンマインド project presents a compact meditation cabin located in various areas of Tokyo. Its primary function is to offer a quiet space for individuals to engage in mindfulness and reflection, providing them a needed escape from the city's relentless pace. The design focuses on creating a sanctuary that promotes mental well-being, blending technology with architecture to enhance the user experience.

Activation Process

Users can easily find the openmind cabin through a mobile application. Once located, they activate it by placing their phone on a charging platform. This interaction initiates the closing of the cabin door and sets up a tailored environment of light and sound. The straightforward activation process allows users to quickly prepare for their meditation sessions, ensuring that they can focus on their experience without unnecessary distractions.

Spatial Considerations

The design of the cabin emphasizes privacy and a sense of intimacy. Once the cabin is in use, it alters its transparency to provide users with solitude, creating an environment conducive to meditation. The compact size is efficiently arranged to maximize comfort while making the most of limited urban space. This thoughtful layout facilitates a peaceful retreat amidst the busyness of city life.

Materials

Constructed with careful consideration, the openmind cabin utilizes a range of materials to ensure durability and comfort. These include polycarbonate shields, door panels, an external steel frame, cork insulation, PUR foam, a plastic shield, an inner steel frame, and a concrete base. Each material plays a role in providing structural support and thermal efficiency, helping to create a welcoming space for meditation.

Design Intent

The openmind cabin addresses the challenges faced in urban living by offering a specific area for personal reflection. It aims to improve mental health by providing a space where individuals can practice mindfulness. The interplay between technology and design supports users in their quest for calm, transforming the cabin into a functional yet serene place for meditation in the bustling world of Tokyo.

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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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