Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Wooden Pavilion with Spiraling Steps for Community Meditation

Authors:
Jinwei Zhang, Yingwen Zhu, Yuxin Hu
Wooden Pavilion with Spiraling Steps for Community Meditation

Project in-detail

A wooden pavilion with spiraling steps provides a serene environment for community meditation, balancing public interaction with personal reflection in the heart of Tokyo.
5 key facts about this project
01
A modular "Filtration" cabinet allows for flexible integration throughout the urban landscape.
02
The design features spiraling steps that create a physical and psychological transition from city to serenity.
03
The pavilion's open structure encourages storytelling and communal engagement among visitors.
04
Natural light is optimized through adjustable skylights, enhancing the meditation experience.
05
Wooden materials provide warmth and texture, aligning with the calming intent of the space.

The project is located in the busy urban area of Tokyo and aims to create a space for both meditation and community interaction. It is designed to provide a retreat from the fast-paced city life. The building features two main levels, each serving a distinct purpose. The upper floor functions as a quiet meditation area, while the ground level acts as an open pavilion where people can come together and share experiences.

Architecture Concept

The upper floor is dedicated to meditation, intentionally set above the noise and distractions of the city. By elevating this space, a calm atmosphere is established, allowing visitors to focus on themselves. Spiral steps connect the two levels, guiding people from the chaotic energy of the streets to the peaceful environment above. This transition underscores the contrast between the bustling city and the serene interior.

Public Interaction

The ground level encourages public access, serving as a pavilion for everyone. In this open space, the design fosters community interactions and storytelling among visitors, creating an environment where people can connect. The design's minimized footprint allows for greater public engagement, making it a welcoming spot amid the urban landscape.

Filtration Concept

A key feature of the design is the "Filtration" cabinet, which helps users relax and find a sense of inner peace. This modular element allows for easy placement in different areas of the city. The concept focuses on filtering the urban environment, offering visitors varying degrees of openness. This promotes a brief escape from daily stress, making way for moments of calm.

Materiality and Design Details

Materials used in the project include wooden tapping, prismatic skylights, folding wooden windows, and wooden facade panels. Each material is chosen for its role in enhancing the overall space. The wooden components add warmth, fitting well with the meditation area’s intent. The skylights allow natural light to fill the interior while providing sound insulation. Windows can be adjusted to control light and noise, allowing users to customize their experiences according to their needs.

A prismatic skylight at the center diffuses light softly, creating a gentle glow that complements the wooden surfaces. This design element enhances the space’s tranquil atmosphere, contributing to the overall sense of well-being.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy