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Recycled Wood Menhir Offering Tranquility in Urban Isolation

Authors:
Lucie Di Capua, Mariateresa Giammetti, Angela Girardo
Recycled Wood Menhir Offering Tranquility in Urban Isolation
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Crafted from recycled wood, a purple-black menhir offers a meditative sanctuary within the urban landscape of Tokyo, designed to promote isolation and personal reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted to resemble a menhir, the cabin features a solid purple-black exterior.
02
Interior light waves simulate gravitational waves, enhancing the meditative experience.
03
A small narthex at the entrance provides a transitional space for users.
04
The design emphasizes acoustic elements that reproduce cosmic sounds.
05
Made entirely from warm recycled wood, promoting sustainability in urban design.

The meditation cabin is designed as a menhir, a purple-black monolith standing amidst the busy streets of Tokyo's business district. It provides a peaceful space for meditation and reflection, addressing the need for solitude in a bustling environment. As a Spiritual Landmark, the design contrasts a solid exterior with a warm and inviting interior, creating a refuge for those seeking to escape the city's fast pace.

Form and Function

The cabin's exterior presents a harsh profile that contrasts with its inviting interior. This duality helps define its purpose as a space for introspection. Visitors can step away from the noise of the city. The cabin's strategic location makes it a significant presence, encouraging people to seek solace and calm.

Interior Experience

Inside, the cabin features a grid made from warm recycled wood, which creates a welcoming atmosphere for meditation. The design isolates those who enter from the sights and sounds of the outside world. A small narthex at the entrance serves as a transition space, allowing visitors to mentally shift from the busy environment to the quietness within. This thoughtful design detail helps prepare individuals for a focused experience.

Light and Sound Dynamics

Light is a key element of the cabin's interior. Dynamic light waves simulate gravitational waves, enhancing the connection between users and the universe. These waves gradually change in shape and intensity, affecting how time is perceived while inside. This slow and deliberate use of light encourages users to let go of the city’s hurried pace and embrace a more mindful state.

Immersive Atmosphere

The experience inside the cabin is further enriched by sound. It reproduces deep tones that evoke cosmic elements, complementing the effects of light. This blend of sensory experiences creates an environment conducive to mindfulness and reflection.

In this space, light and sound come together, where gentle waves of illumination flow with calming echoes, fostering a tranquil setting for personal exploration and meditation.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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