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Foldable Floor and Intelligent Glass Retreat for Mindful Meditation

Author:
Molnár Réka Piroska
Foldable Floor and Intelligent Glass Retreat for Mindful Meditation
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Utilizing a carbon composite structure with a foldable floor and intelligent glass, this retreat optimizes urban space to provide an immersive environment for personal meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
The retreat integrates YIN and JANG cabin modes for personalized meditation experiences.
02
Intelligent glass provides privacy while connecting occupants to the surrounding environment.
03
A folding floor design encourages physical movement and interaction during meditation.
04
Constructed with a carbon composite frame, ensuring lightweight structural integrity.
05
The design incorporates principles of geopathology to enhance user well-being and comfort.

INBETWEEN52 is a retreat designed to provide solace from the busy life of Tokyo. The aim is to create a space that allows occupants to escape stress and reconnect with their inner selves. The project combines modern design principles with traditional ideas of balance and well-being. It offers a distinct experience tailored to urban residents in search of peace.

Concept and Functionality

The retreat features a dual cabin system, each serving unique purposes for meditation. The YIN cabin mode creates an environment of darkness and stillness, encouraging deep thought and reflection. In contrast, the JANG cabin mode is dynamic, engaging the senses through light and sound. Users can select the mode that suits their needs, promoting a personalized approach to mindfulness.

Spatial Organization

The design prioritizes user experience with a layout that guides individuals to a meditation platform. Access is achieved via a temporary staircase, symbolizing a transition from the chaos of the city to a serene space. An innovative folding floor mechanism enhances movement, creating opportunities for physical activity. This design aspect encourages users to engage both body and mind in their meditation practices.

Materials and Structure

The building incorporates intelligent glass on its exterior, enhancing visibility while ensuring privacy for users. Inside, pressed recycled building boards reflect a commitment to sustainability. LED lighting provides energy efficiency and durability, while EPS-insulated concrete creates a comfortable indoor climate. A carbon composite monocoque frame gives structural strength, designed explicitly for Tokyo's narrow streets.

Design Details

The project draws from the philosophy of the five elements: water, wood, fire, earth, and steel. This connection fosters a respectful relationship between the environment and the inhabitants. Light and shadow interact within the space, creating areas that evoke calmness and serenity. The thoughtful design invites users to immerse themselves in a calming atmosphere, encouraging a deep sense of relaxation.

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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.

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Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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