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Meditative Spaces Enclosed in Glass and Wood Within Tokyo's Urban Density

Authors:
梦婷 张, 佳钰 王, 洋 黎, 佳钰 王, 洋 黎, 佳钰 王, 洋 黎, 佳钰 王, 洋 黎, 佳钰 王, 洋 黎
Meditative Spaces Enclosed in Glass and Wood Within Tokyo's Urban Density

Project in-detail

Defined by its spiraling staircase and secluded meditation cabins, this sanctuary of light and wood offers a restorative retreat from Tokyo's urban density.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditation cabins are designed for individual use, promoting solitude and reflection.
02
The spiraling staircase serves as both a functional pathway and a symbolic ascent.
03
Glass walls create a seamless connection between indoor spaces and the urban environment.
04
Wooden louvers provide shading while enhancing the aesthetic quality of the structure.
05
Elevated positioning allows for panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape.

PHOTORESPIRATION is an innovative design located in Tokyo, a city known for its high density and limited usable space. The project aims to provide relief from the urban crowding, creating a sanctuary for individuals seeking personal rejuvenation. The overall design is built around the concepts of growth and breath, giving priority to light and vitality. This invites residents to escape the oppressive atmosphere often felt in city life.

Spiraling Staircase

At the heart of PHOTORESPIRATION is a spiraling staircase that acts as an important pathway away from the crowded ground floor. This vertical element guides users upward, encouraging movement and offering an escape. Ascending this staircase symbolizes a shift from the overwhelming environment to a calming space above, allowing for a new perspective and experience within the urban context.

Meditation Cabins

The project features meditation cabins designed to provide peaceful retreats for users. These cabins are placed thoughtfully to maximize exposure to natural light, allowing individuals to meditate in solitude. By creating this personal space, the design encourages self-reflection and reconnection with the environment. Here, occupants can step away from the city's noise and find tranquility.

Materiality and Structure

Material choices are crucial to the design's effectiveness. A glass screen wall promotes visibility and a connection to the outdoor surroundings. Wooden louvers offer practical shading while contributing to the overall aesthetic. The structure is supported by a steel frame, ensuring strength and resilience. Each cabin is designed as a single cell, reflecting the significance of individuality in a busy urban setting.

The thoughtful arrangement of spaces, combined with the careful selection of materials, culminates in an architecture that facilitates a unique urban experience. Light-filled areas invite occupants to take a breath and step away from the demands of daily life, creating a setting for renewal and calm in the midst of the bustling city.

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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
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