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Tatami Flooring and Sound-Absorbing Cabins for Urban Meditation Spaces

Authors:
Josep lluís Sánchez-fortún botines, Natalia Ordoñez acevedo, Fabian camilo Castro pérez, Ignacio Ferrer ávila
Tatami Flooring and Sound-Absorbing Cabins for Urban Meditation Spaces

Project in-detail

Incorporating traditional Tatami Flooring and sound-absorbing materials, the cabins provide dedicated spaces for meditation within Tokyo's busy transport network.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditation cabins are integrated into Tokyo's existing transport network for easy accessibility.
02
Each cabin includes sound-absorbing panels to enhance privacy and tranquility.
03
Tatami Flooring is used to connect users with traditional Japanese culture during meditation.
04
A double-decker train cabin system provides increased capacity for commuters seeking mindfulness.
05
Users engage in meditation while commuting to save time and reduce stress.

The Introspective Journey addresses the mental health challenges faced by workers in Tokyo by integrating meditation spaces into the city’s transport network. The project offers calm environments, allowing individuals to take a break and meditate during their daily commutes. The design captures the essence of urban life while promoting well-being, symbolizing a connection between mental health and everyday routines.

Meditation Cabins

Central to the design are the Meditation Cabins, which are wooden structures meant for one or two users. Each cabin provides privacy with a foldable Japanese screen, ensuring that individuals can focus without disturbances. Using wood as the main material gives a warm feeling to the space, aligning perfectly with the goal of creating a soothing atmosphere.

Sound and Lighting

Inside the cabins, sound-absorbing panels play a key role in reducing outside noise. This allows users to experience a sense of isolation, which is essential for meditation. The lighting features dim LED spotlights that create a soft glow, fostering relaxation and inviting users to unwind amidst the hectic pace of city life.

Tatami Flooring

Tatami Flooring adds a traditional Japanese element to the design. It encourages users to engage in a culturally significant practice by removing their shoes on a designated shelf before stepping onto the tatami. This simple act enhances the meditative process, making it more immersive and personal.

Train Cabin System

The project includes an adaptable train cabin system designed to respond to the varying needs of commuters. This ensures that meditation spaces are available during busy periods, allowing people to practice mindfulness while on the go. The double-decker design optimizes space and enables more individuals to benefit from meditation during their commutes.

The attention to detail throughout the design fosters an environment that enhances the mental well-being of urban commuters. Simple elements within the architecture work together to create a space where users can find peace and calm, even in the midst of a busy day.

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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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