Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabins

Tokyo, the largest city in Japan and a leader in technological and industrial innovation, is the nation’s capital. The biggest destruction is being caused by digital gadgets, even though its peculiar location on the Pacific coast of central Honshu leaves it vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons, and rising sea levels. The increased usage of digital gadgets, including computers and smartphones, can have a highly negative impact on mental health. In addition to interfering with normal sleep patterns, spending too much time online increases anxiety and depressive symptoms.

In fact, studies demonstrating the effects of depression on the Japanese public have been published there, with 84% of businesses reporting mental health issues among their employees.

A 2009 research conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare revealed that depression was costing the country’s economy the equivalent of nearly $30 billion.

Moreover, the builder is requesting participants in the Tokyo Urban Meditation Cabins competition to submit their concepts for a meditation cabin prototype that could be reproduced and installed throughout various locations in Tokyo. The cabins need to act as a modest public retreat where visitors can unwind and re-energize.

Furthermore, participants are urged to consider the therapeutic potential of architecture and how to successfully introduce a tiny, serene place into a busy, stressful environment.

PRIZES

Finally, there will be a selection of 3 winning proposals, 2 special prize winners, and 6 honorable mentions. The following winners will get a total of 7,000 € in prize money from Builder (previously Bee Breeders):

1st Prize – 3,000 €
2nd Prize – 1,500 €
3rd Prize – 1000 €

plus six additional mentions

Student Award from ARCHIVE Books: €1000 plus €50 gift card

500 Euro Builder Green Award