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Sky-Framing Cabins With Translucent Panels for Rest and Reflection

Author:
Pei lin (eric) Huang
Sky-Framing Cabins With Translucent Panels for Rest and Reflection

Project in-detail

Constructed with concrete bases and wooden framing, the cabins utilize translucent panels to create a serene atmosphere that facilitates mindfulness and social interaction, serving as tranquil spaces for rest within the urban fabric of Tokyo.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins require users to place phones in a designated box to unlock the door.
02
Translucent panels create a dialogue between occupants while maintaining privacy.
03
The design emphasizes views of the sky, allowing interaction with changing natural light.
04
Located at urban intersections to enhance accessibility for commuters.
05
Constructed with a combination of concrete and wood, providing durability and warmth.

The design features a series of cabins that serve as retreats within the urban environment of Tokyo. These cabins aim to provide spaces for individuals to relax and reconnect in a city that is often overwhelming with noise and distractions. The overall design concept seeks to create a calming atmosphere, allowing people to take a step back from their busy lives and find moments of peace.

Concept and Functionality

Each cabin serves as a buffer against the surrounding hustle. A unique aspect of the design is the door mechanism, which requires users to place their phones in a designated box to unlock their entry. This encourages visitors to disconnect from their devices, promoting a sense of mindfulness and presence in the cabin's environment. By engaging with the space, users can experience a break from the constant demands of the digital world.

Spatial Organization

Inside the cabins, the design divides the space into two sections using a translucent panel that has a narrow slit. This element allows for conversation between occupants while preserving their personal space. People can share thoughts and feelings without needing direct eye contact, creating a comfortable atmosphere that supports both solitude and connection.

Materiality

The cabins utilize concrete for their bases, providing strength and stability in an active urban setting. The wooden framing adds warmth that contrasts with the harsher elements of the city. The roof, made from metal, enhances the structure's modern look while also ensuring durability against weather conditions, making the cabins practical for regular use.

Strategic Placement

Located at the intersections of narrow streets and main roads, the cabins are thoughtfully positioned to be easily accessible for those on the move. This strategic placement allows individuals seeking a moment of calm to engage with the cabins as part of their daily routines, increasing the likelihood of use.

As light filters through the translucent panels, it creates a soft glow inside, inviting occupants to pause and reflect, while also appreciating the changing colors of the sky outside.

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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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