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Elevated Reflection Space with Traditional Joinery and Native Greenery

Authors:
Mason Wilson, Aaron Best
Elevated Reflection Space with Traditional Joinery and Native Greenery

Project in-detail

Suspended above the ground, a meditation platform crafted with traditional joinery and surrounded by native greenery offers a space for self-reflection in the heart of Tokyo's urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Suspended meditation platform elevates users for a unique perspective in the garden.
02
Integrated flower pots allow community members to contribute and nurture local flora.
03
Crafted using traditional Japanese wood joinery techniques from the Edo Period.
04
Built-in storage bays are designed for personal belongings, enhancing user experience.
05
Light Japanese Cypress ensures longevity and durability against urban conditions.

Tranzendent Garden is located in the busy urban area of Tokyo, Japan. It creates a peaceful space for self-reflection, allowing users to step away from their everyday distractions. The design focuses on modularity, enabling it to adapt well to different urban environments. This project responds to a growing need for quiet areas in cities, promoting moments of meditation and contemplation.

Built-in Components

The design includes practical features such as built-in benches and storage bays. These elements provide users with spaces to store personal belongings, including electronics, shoes, and bags. By including these features, the design supports users as they transition into a space meant for quiet thought and introspection.

Suspended Meditation Platform

A key element of the garden is the suspended meditation platform. Elevated above ground level, this structure encourages users to create a distance from their material possessions. Being raised gives users a new perspective, helping them connect with the peaceful nature of the surroundings. This platform enhances their ability to focus and meditate in a calming environment.

Integration of Nature

Flower pots with native Japanese seeds are carefully placed throughout the garden. These pots not only add beauty but also invite community involvement in plant care. This connection encourages local residents to participate and fosters a sense of belonging among them. By bringing nature into the urban setting, the design addresses the need for green spaces where they are often lacking.

Craftsmanship and Durability

Tranzendent Garden showcases traditional Japanese craftsmanship through its use of wood joinery techniques from the Edo Period. Each joint is made from light Japanese Cypress, which is known for its strength and resistance to rot. This selection of materials ensures the garden remains strong and durable over time while honoring cultural traditions.

Natural light filters through the various openings in the design, creating changing patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. This dynamic quality enhances the atmosphere, allowing users to feel more in tune with their environment and the passage of time.

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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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