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Petal Structures with Aluminum Foam Enhancing Meditation Space

Authors:
Silu Xiang, Xibo Wang, Yu Wang, Xixiang Zeng
Petal Structures with Aluminum Foam Enhancing Meditation Space
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Sliding aluminum foam petals create an adaptable meditation space that integrates with urban environments, offering a customizable refuge for individual reflection and tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sliding petals allow users to customize their view and privacy.
02
Aluminum foam enhances structural integrity and insulation.
03
Cabin design adapts to various urban contexts, from parks to streets.
04
Soundproofing elements create a quiet meditative environment.
05
The project integrates natural elements to promote user reflection.

The Urban Boundary presents a thoughtful response to the demands of modern city living, with a focus on enhancing personal well-being through meditation. Located in various urban settings—including streets, parks, coastal areas, and forests—the design aims to create flexible spaces that promote individual reflection and tranquility. By introducing the idea of "selective vision," the project emphasizes user experience, allowing for different interactions depending on the surrounding environment.

Design Concept

Central to the Urban Boundary is a unique cabin structure designed for customizable meditation experiences. This cabin incorporates interactive elements, specifically “petals” that can slide open, enabling users to adjust how they engage with their surroundings. In busy urban areas, the structure can block out noise and views, creating a focused environment for meditation. In quieter locations, it can open to connect with nature, enhancing the overall experience.

Functional Integration

The design addresses mental health challenges by providing specific zones for relaxation and contemplation. The use of soundproofing elements within the design ensures a peaceful environment, which is essential for effective meditation. This functionality makes the Urban Boundary a relevant solution in cities where mental well-being is increasingly recognized as important.

Material Considerations

The project uses aluminum foam, a material that adds strength and insulation to the cabin. This choice of material helps create a calm atmosphere suitable for meditation while ensuring durability and low maintenance.

User Tailoring

The emphasis on environmental interaction allows each cabin to change its position and openness based on its context, catering to the needs of different users. This flexibility showcases a commitment to providing spaces that enhance individual engagement and well-being, illustrating how architecture can support community health.

A defining element of the Urban Boundary is its capacity to shift from a personal retreat into an open space that engages with nature, highlighting the complex relationship between built environments and the natural world.

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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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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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