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Portable Retreats with Japanese Lamp Inspiration

Authors:
Daniela Carstens, Catalina Sanhueza
Portable Retreats with Japanese Lamp Inspiration
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Inspired by traditional Japanese lamps, these portable meditation cabins utilize a unique folding mechanism to create personal spaces for reflection within Tokyo's urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by traditional Japanese lamps, the cabin design incorporates a unique folding mechanism for easy transportation.
02
Users can connect their cell phones via USB to power the integrated LED lighting within the cabin.
03
Each cabin serves as a portable bag when not in use, enhancing mobility for users in urban settings.
04
The dimensions are specifically designed to prioritize user comfort and privacy for meditative practices.
05
Soft lighting creates illuminated silhouettes, inviting mindfulness and reflection amidst the urban landscape.

The Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabins offer a practical solution for urban living in a busy city. Located in Tokyo, a place known for its fast pace, these cabins function as personal spaces for meditation and quiet reflection. The design emphasizes mobility, allowing users to move and set up the cabins easily in various locations throughout the city.

Conceptual Framework

Inspired by traditional Japanese lamps, the design of the cabins features a unique folding and unfolding mechanism. This choice integrates cultural elements with modern needs, enabling the cabins to fit naturally into their surroundings. Their carefully designed dimensions prioritize comfort and privacy, making them suitable for individuals seeking moments of peace.

Functional Design

The cabins include a lighting system that connects to users’ cell phones through a USB port. This feature creates a calming atmosphere inside the cabin, illuminating the silhouettes of those meditating. The soft light stands in contrast to the city buzz outside. Both users and passersby are encouraged to pause, creating an opportunity for shared moments of reflection.

Versatility and Use

The cabins are designed to function as portable bags before they are set up. This versatility enhances their practicality for people on the go. Users can carry the cabins through the streets and find a moment of tranquility even in crowded public spaces. This feature is particularly helpful in a city where finding quiet spots can be difficult.

Material Consideration

While specific materials are not mentioned, the design is likely characterized by qualities such as flexibility, lightness, and transparency. These attributes play a role in the user experience, allowing the cabins to remain discreet while serving a significant purpose. The focus on these characteristics reveals an understanding of how the cabins will interact with their environments.

The cabin’s integrated USB port connects personal technology to the meditation experience. This modern approach makes meditation accessible in a busy urban landscape, bringing moments of calm to those who seek them.

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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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