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Golden Fabric Sanctuary with Paulownia Structure

Author:
Aiko Timmons
Golden Fabric Sanctuary with Paulownia Structure

Project in-detail

Constructed with a Paulownia frame and adorned with gold fabric, this portable cabin offers a meditative retreat that blends sustainability with urban adaptability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed from lightweight Paulownia hardwood for easy mobility.
02
Incorporates a three-layer curtaining system for enhanced privacy.
03
Features a polycarbonate roof to maximize natural light and rain runoff.
04
Utilizes recycled rubber matting for comfort during meditation.
05
Emits a warm glow through gold fabric, creating an inviting atmosphere.

The Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabin Project is a thoughtful design aimed at addressing the needs of urban living. Located in a bustling city, the cabin serves as a space for meditation and reflection. Its design concept revolves around a portable structure with a small footprint, resembling a lantern that invites calmness amidst the chaos of city life.

Design Concept
The design focuses on the connection between inside and outside spaces. A transparent threshold allows for interaction while protecting the occupant's privacy. The walls utilize a three-layer curtaining system that blurs visibility from the outside, creating a serene atmosphere. This layering encourages quiet contemplation and transforms the cabin into a personal retreat.

Materiality
Sustainability is at the core of this design. The frame is made from Paulownia hardwood, a lightweight material sourced from Japan. This choice supports the structure's portability and offers durability. Inside, recycled rubber matting adds comfort for those using the kneeling space. The roof is constructed with polycarbonate, which maximizes natural light entrance. Linen textile covers the façade, enhancing the overall look while enriching the experience for users inside.

Lighting and Climate Adaptability
Lighting design plays a crucial role in maintaining a welcoming atmosphere throughout the day and night. Gold fabric integrated into the structure collects daylight, and LED panel lights provide consistent illumination in the evening. The polycarbonate roof is designed with a low slope to help rain flow off easily. This adaptation makes the cabin functional throughout various weather conditions, ensuring it can be used year-round.

Unique to this cabin is its ability to create a warm, inviting space that encourages tranquility, allowing users to engage in reflection while surrounded by the energy of the urban environment.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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