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Lattice Privacy and Tatami Interiors in a Serene Meditation Cabin

Authors:
Tan Lei, Watanabe Ikuho
Lattice Privacy and Tatami Interiors in a Serene Meditation Cabin

Project in-detail

Incorporating lattice screens for privacy and tatami mats for comfort, the design creates a tranquil meditation cabin that seamlessly blends natural elements with user-focused interiors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Developed with a focus on Shinto principles, the cabin integrates sacred space with modern functionality.
02
The lattice structure allows filtered light while enhancing privacy in shared areas.
03
Tatami mats serve dual purposes, providing comfortable seating and traditional cultural significance.
04
Adjustable curtain systems enable users to customize their privacy and engagement levels.
05
Planters incorporated into the design promote a direct connection with nature.

The Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabins provide a space for quiet contemplation and connection with nature. Located within a rich cultural context, the cabins interpret traditional Shinto principles in a modern way. The design emphasizes the division between the outside world and a quieter inner sanctuary, utilizing the torii gate to mark this transition clearly.

Structural Elements

The cabins rely on a framework consisting of columns and beams. This provides both support and openness, allowing for areas that can accommodate solitary reflection or group interaction. The walls and floors serve as essential components, outlining the boundaries of the space while promoting an inviting flow throughout, making movement natural and unobstructed.

Interior Design

Inside the cabins, tatami mats replace conventional flooring, creating a comfortable and culturally resonant environment. Visitors are invited to remove their shoes, which deepens their connection to the space and fosters a sense of comfort. The curtain rails further enhance the interior design, allowing individuals to adjust their privacy levels. This feature enables users to create personal retreats within the shared space.

Natural Integration

A lattice structure offers a practical solution for filtering light while obscuring views from outside. This element promotes a connection to nature, which aligns well with the Shinto focus on the environment. Planters strategically placed throughout the cabin contribute greenery, enhancing the sensory experience and bridging the gap between built structures and the natural world.

Connectivity Solutions

The thoughtful placement of a stairway allows for easy movement between different sections of the design. This aspect not only improves functionality but also connects the cabins with their natural surroundings. Together, these components establish a clear narrative, guiding users through diverse experiences, whether they seek quiet reflection or communal activity.

A defining feature of the design is the adjustable fabric on the curtain rails, allowing each visitor to adapt their environment. This detail highlights the flexible nature of the cabins, making them versatile spaces for meditation and connection, inviting occupants to engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways.

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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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