Designing for Meditation

Miami is not typically known as a mecca for meditation and the zen lifestyle. However, Miami entrepreneur Jonathan Marcoschamer is trying to change that with the new, forward-thinking Open Seed meditation pod.

After discovering meditation six years ago and participating in a 10-day Vipassana meditation course, Marcoschamer felt his life was forever changed. He wanted everyone to have access to meditation and was determined to make it happen.

“Meditation changed my life,” said Marcoschamer, founder and CEO of OpenSeed. “After completing the course and returning to work in an office environment, I realized there wasn’t a place where I could practice meditation. Sure, I could sit at my desk and download a meditation app, but there was still too much distraction and not enough privacy to practice for 10- or 15-minutes.”

And that’s when he had a light-bulb moment. He needed to create a place that was private and easily accessible to people in the workplace, as well as in high-traffic public spaces.

It took Marcoschamer a few years of research and many drawings, but he’s finally developed a product, with the help local craftsmen at McKenzie Construction, that creates a calming, womb-like experience with a choice of different therapeutic practices. He chose the name OpenSeed for the meditation pod, and as the name implies, it is shaped like a large seed with leaf-like petals. The pod is made of sustainable Baltic Birchwood to create a connection to nature, and wool felt materials to help block out external noise. Open at the top and bottom for ventilation, the unique meditation pod stands nearly 9 feet tall and is 7 feet wide.

The pod fits up to three people comfortably and includes cushioned seating. It’s ideal for meditation, brainstorming sessions, team building, and more. Once inside, users can select from a menu of guided meditations from a built-in touchscreen and can also choose sounds including calming, nature music and even tribal drum sounds for a more uplifting experience. He also incorporated LED light sequences programmed to synchronize with breathing exercises and visualizations. A small compartment in the pod stores essential oils that can be used during sessions for an aromatic experience. Marcoschamer even integrated additional technology with a mobile app that lets employees, customers, or guests reserve their sessions and avoid mid-session interruptions.

He plans to facilitate moments of calm to millions of people by having meditation pods in corporate offices, as well as in hotels, airports, shopping malls, and universities. This year, the brand is partnering with a Fortune 500 healthcare company and a major airline will feature the Open Seed meditation pod at their airport terminal in New York to help travelers alleviate their holiday stress.

“Designing for meditation was a challenge, but we’re really happy with the final product,” said Marcoschamer. “Our overall goal with OpenSeed is to elevate wellness.”

OpenSeed is located in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. The company has plans of expanding to New York and Los Angeles and Designing Miami recommends a session to all those in need.