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Retractable Seating and Clean Spaces in an Urban Meditation Refuge

Author:
Walter Craven
Retractable Seating and Clean Spaces in an Urban Meditation Refuge

Project in-detail

With a retractable lounge seat and clearly defined clean spaces, the design creates a functional urban retreat that promotes meditation and personal focus.
5 key facts about this project
01
Retractable lounge seat accommodates both floor and seated use.
02
Access is managed through a dedicated application for convenience.
03
Clear interior division distinguishes "clean" and "soiled" areas.
04
Designed for deployment in urban environments like plazas and arcades.
05
Fully accessible and air-conditioned for diverse user comfort.

The Tokyo Cabin project offers a serene space for meditation and personal focus within busy urban settings. Located in communal areas like plazas and arcades, it aims to provide a convenient refuge for individuals seeking a moment of calm. The design prioritizes functionality and adaptability, allowing users to find peace amidst the hustle of city life.

Adaptable Design

The cabin includes a retractable lounge seat, allowing users to choose between seated or floor positions. This flexibility caters to different preferences during meditation or reflection. The interior layout clearly separates "clean" and "soiled" areas, which keeps the environment organized and hygienic.

Technological Integration

Access to the Tokyo Cabin is controlled by an app, highlighting a modern approach to convenience. This technology makes it easy for users to enter and utilize the space for their mindfulness activities. Such integration reflects contemporary needs, where digital solutions enhance user experiences in everyday locations.

Lighting and Ambiance

The design incorporates atmospheric and task lighting to ensure the space is inviting, even at night. This careful attention to lighting helps create a suitable atmosphere for meditation and deep thinking, ensuring that the cabin fulfills its purpose at all hours. The right light not only illuminates but also fosters a sense of tranquility.

The Tokyo Cabin is fully accessible and equipped with air conditioning, providing comfort for a wide range of users. Its placement alongside landscaped areas or busy streets demonstrates a commitment to merging the structure with its surroundings. The cabin stands as a peaceful space, offering individuals a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge.

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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
competition now

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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MICROHOME
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