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Wobbling Seats and Driftwood Shelters for Elevated Meditation

Authors:
Atsuko Nakamura, Ryu Kumagai
Wobbling Seats and Driftwood Shelters for Elevated Meditation

Project in-detail

The integration of wobbling seats within a driftwood cabin elevates the meditative experience, allowing users to physically engage with gravity while surrounded by the serene backdrop of nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
driftwood construction integrates with a natural landscape wobbling seats enhance user interaction with gravity elevation of three meters provides a floating experience shell roof design facilitates natural light and ventilation perpendicular alignment fosters deeper meditation focus.

A Dialogue with Gravity is a design that offers a meditative space within a calm landscape. It promotes self-reflection through a thoughtful mix of architecture and nature. Situated among gentle hills and transitioning from a peaceful pond into a quiet forest, the meditation cabin aims to create an inviting atmosphere for personal contemplation. The central idea focuses on using gravity to enhance meditation, encouraging visitors to connect deeply with their surroundings.

Design Concept

The concept centers around a dialogue with gravity, exploring how the structure interacts with the forces of the Earth. The cabin is raised three meters above the ground, creating a feeling of elevation that heightens the meditative experience. This setup allows users to step away from daily distractions, fostering a greater awareness of their relationship with the natural environment.

Dynamic Interaction

A notable feature of the cabin is the "wobbling seat." This design engages users physically, allowing them to explore balance and stability while meditating. Each seat can move slightly but stabilizes when weight is applied. This interaction enhances focus and emphasizes the connection between individuals and the Earth.

Natural Elements

Light and fresh air play critical roles in shaping the cabin's atmosphere, thanks to openings in the shell roof. These features enable a relationship between light and shadow that changes throughout the day. The varying light conditions contribute to a calming environment, encouraging deeper engagement during meditation. Visitors can feel the influence of natural forces inside the space.

Material Selection

Driftwood and naturally bent wood are key materials in the design. They reflect an emphasis on sustainability and connect the project to the surrounding ecosystem. The use of driftwood represents a journey through nature, symbolizing growth and change. This careful choice of materials enriches the experience within the cabin and creates a sense of being grounded in the environment.

The shell roof's undulating shape mirrors the geological movements of the area, reinforcing the link between the structure and its site. Each element has been carefully considered, creating a space where visitors can engage in thoughtful reflection within an inviting natural setting.

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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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