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Translucent Roofed Retreat with Shōji Panels for Urban Meditation

Authors:
Justyna Śmigielska, Anna Bytner, Darya Vybarnaya
Translucent Roofed Retreat with Shōji Panels for Urban Meditation

Project in-detail

With a translucent roof and flexible shōji panels, the retreat provides a peaceful sanctuary for meditation, seamlessly blending traditional Japanese elements with contemporary urban life.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent roof maximizes daylight while minimizing glare.
02
Flexible shōji panels allow for customizable privacy and openness.
03
Genkan entrance creates a defined transition into the meditation space.
04
Constructed using traditional Japanese wood joinery techniques.
05
Tatami mats create a natural, calming surface for meditation.

The Lightroom is a meditation cabin designed to provide a peaceful space for reflection and relaxation in an urban environment. It draws on Japanese architectural traditions, focusing on the relationship between people and nature. The cabin serves as a retreat, allowing individuals to escape the noise of city life and engage in self-reflection, fostering calm and mindfulness.

Spatial Organization
Inside the cabin, the layout is carefully divided into two areas: the genkan and the meditation zone. The genkan acts as the entrance, where visitors can set aside their belongings and outerwear, creating a transition from the outside world to a more tranquil space. This arrangement encourages users to leave their distractions behind and prepare mentally for a period of contemplation.

Flexible Panel System
A defining feature of the Lightroom is the sampo-gumi-shikuchi curtain that separates the two zones. Hanging from exposed rafters, this curtain provides a gentle division, allowing for easy movement while still defining each area. In addition, the walls incorporate shōji panels in solid, translucent, and mesh options. This flexibility allows occupants to customize their experience, adjusting the level of openness or privacy based on their mood or needs.

Natural Light and Ventilation
Natural light is an important aspect of the design. The cabin features a translucent roof that allows daylight to come in while minimizing harsh glare. This creates a warm and inviting interior atmosphere throughout the day. To enhance comfort, the cabin includes small openings beneath the roof for natural ventilation. This design fosters a connection between the indoor environment and the outside world, allowing fresh air to circulate within.

Construction Techniques
Building methods reflect a commitment to craftsmanship, utilizing traditional Japanese wood joinery. This approach not only highlights the quality of construction but also adds to the aesthetic of the cabin. Prefabricated elements contribute to overall efficiency, making it easier to assemble and disassemble the structure when needed. This focus on sustainability and ease of construction aligns with the goals of the project.

The design stands out for its use of light and flexible paneling, which shift in character throughout the day. As daylight changes, the interior is bathed in different tones, enhancing the meditative quality of the space. This adaptable environment aims to create a calming sanctuary that encourages individuals to reconnect with themselves.

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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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