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Sensory Garden Reflections in Tokyo's Urban Landscape

Author:
Anh Tuấn Nghiêm Anh
Sensory Garden Reflections in Tokyo's Urban Landscape
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Incorporating sensory experiences within a garden setting, the design in Arakawa City invites reflection and interaction, creating a tranquil urban space that enhances community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates sensory experiences to enhance user interaction.
02
Located in a culturally rich neighborhood of Arakawa City.
03
Features a bent A-frame design for structural and aesthetic appeal.
04
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for sustainable construction.
05
Integrates charred wooden shingles for weather resistance and texture.

The design located in Arakawa City, Tokyo, emphasizes both the energetic atmosphere of urban life and the need for individual reflection. This space allows for social interaction while also providing areas for quiet contemplation. The concept seeks to blend the bustling nature of Tokyo with moments of mindfulness, reflecting the city's rich cultural background.

Spatial Organization
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The arrangement of the space is designed for easy movement and interaction among users. Open paths guide people through the environment, enhancing opportunities for connection. Specific zones are created to support both group activities and personal quiet time. This layout effectively balances the need for community engagement with the importance of solitude.

Sensory Experience
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The design pays special attention to engaging the senses. It invites users to experience their surroundings through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. By fostering this awareness, the space encourages visitors to connect with their environment more deeply. This approach is especially relevant in a lively city like Tokyo, where moments of calm can be hard to find.

Cultural Context
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Situated in a culturally rich neighborhood, the design responds to the complexities of life in Tokyo. It embraces both contemporary and traditional elements, allowing the essence of the city to influence the architectural message. The project recognizes the challenges of urban living while providing areas that promote mindfulness and self-awareness, aligning with the varied experiences of its users.

Architectural Detail
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To enhance the human experience, specific features highlight the play of light and shadow throughout the space. These elements create changing atmospheres that invite reflection at different times of day. The way light interacts with the design details encourages users to engage with both the space and their own thoughts, enriching their overall experience.

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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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