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Responsive Sanctuary Offering Active Meditation in a Dense Urban Landscape

Author:
Richelle Sibolboro
Responsive Sanctuary Offering Active Meditation in a Dense Urban Landscape
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Unfurl transforms human interaction into a responsive experience within Tokyo's dense urban fabric, providing a sanctuary for active meditation and emotional expression.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unfurl actively responds to user interactions through sound and movement.
02
The structure encourages personal expression via various forms of engagement.
03
It seamlessly blends into Tokyo's urban landscape while providing a unique refuge.
04
The design features an open wing that invites visitors to enter and engage.
05
Once a visitor departs, the structure reverts to its original curled form.

Unfurl is a structure located in Tokyo, a city known for its dense population of nearly fourteen million people. The design aims to address the stress and anxiety often felt by residents in such a busy environment. Unfurl acts as a refuge, allowing individuals to engage in active meditation. It encourages users to explore their emotions while finding solace amid the city's hustle and bustle.

Engagement and Interaction

The central idea behind Unfurl is the interaction between people and the building. As visitors enter under its open wing, they trigger the structure to unfold through their voices, breathing, and movements. This characteristic makes the space responsive and alive, allowing it to change in relation to the people inside. Such engagement creates a special connection between those within the structure and their surroundings.

Transformation and Human Expression

The environment encourages a wide range of self-expression. Visitors can whisper, talk, laugh, sing, or dance. Each action adds to the unfolding of Unfurl, fostering a unique relationship between the person and the architecture. This approach differs from traditional meditation styles. Users are invited to be active participants in their emotional journey in a space that feels intimate and personal.

Perception and Mystery

People watching the structure from outside cannot see what causes it to change. This creates a sense of intrigue, as the transformation remains a secret. The unfolding of Unfurl becomes a moment of curiosity for onlookers, enriching the overall experience of the urban setting. The design provides a refuge for visitors while also capturing the attention of those nearby, adding depth to the city landscape.

Transition and Evolution

After someone leaves, Unfurl returns to its curled form, highlighting its ability to evolve. The cyclical nature of the structure reinforces the idea of ongoing interaction and connection among people amid the busy city. Within the design, the concepts of resilience and change come together, offering a space that harmonizes individual experiences with the collective life of Tokyo.

The forms and textures within Unfurl evoke a sense of living presence. It feels like being wrapped in something warm and welcoming. This nurturing quality invites exploration and reflection, creating a comforting atmosphere where individuals can pause and take a break from the fast pace of the 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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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