Coffee Break

Vol.016- Why Chinese people love colors

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Interviewer: Simen Huang Theme:Why Chinese people love colors Simeng Today I`d like to discuss the reasons why Chinese people prefer bold or vibrant colors. In recent years, LPA has landed many projects in China. I`m sure the clients ask fo…

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Vol.015– An Encouragement of Morning

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Interviewer: Yumi Honda Theme: An Encouragement of Morning Honda  Mr. Mende, you are a morning person and come into the office early, but that lifestyle and working as a lighting designer seems to be contradictory. I am also a morning perso…

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Vol.014 – Lighting for Lighting Design Office

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Interviewer: Shunichi Ikeda Theme:Lighting for Lighting Design Office Ikeda Today I`d like to discuss the lighting in a lighting design office.   I have always wondered about architects and interior designers who design their own …

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Vol.013 – The Enjoyment of Ikebana

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Interviewer: Takafumi Kubo Mende :  I heard that you practice Ikebana, or Japanese flower arrangement.  What style are you learning?  It’s amazing that you find time when work is so busy. Kubo : I am learning the Sogetsu style of Ikeb…

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Vol.012- Development in Technology and the Changing Role of Light in 2050

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Interviewer: Hiroyuki Miyake Theme:Development in Technology and the Changing Role of Light in 2050 Miyake Today I`d like to discuss the “Role of Light” in the future over a broad span of time.  In interviews conducted with 100 people …

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Vol.011 – How to Polish up your Womanly Spirit

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Interviewer: Misa Fujii A Love letter from Kaoru Mende: Dear Misa, I think you are a person with a lot of vitality and an amazing lighting designer.   When I say “Feel free to think freely,”  you always seem to come up with a killer idea, u…

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Vol.010 – Moonlight in the City, Moonlight in the Mountains

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Interviewer: Tsutomu Nagatsu Moonlight in the City, Moonlight in the Mountains Nagatsu Today I`d like to talk about moonlight in the mountains.   I like to go mountaineering, how about you?  Do you climb mountains? Mende I don’t have …

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Vol.009 – Learning From Disney

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Interviewer: Motoyo Ogawa Mende Some kids just really love Disneyland. Ogawa Yes. I am one of them. Mende At what age did you start to really like Disney? Ogawa  I first went to Disneyland when I was in Kindergarten.  When I started element…

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Vol.008 – Waterscapes with Light

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Interviewer: Misuzu Nakamura Thme:Waterscapes with Light Nakamura Ok.  So, today I thought we could talk about waterscapes with light.  I just got back from a trip to survey the urban lightscape of Bangkok.   The scenery along the rivers an…

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Vol.007 – The role of a designer

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Interviewer: Momoko Muraoka Theme:The role of a designer Muraoka: Today I would like to talk about the role of a designer.  Of course, there is our regular work consulting on design projects, but also as lighting designers, we have helped l…

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Vol.006 – Architectural Lighting and Stage Lighting

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Interviewer: Genki Watanabe Theme: Architectural Lighting and Stage Lighting Watanabe: Today, I`d like to talk about “Architecture Lighting and Stage Lighting.”   At the university, I majored in stage lighting. Mende: What sparked your inte…

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Vol.005 – Disaster Area Lighting

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Theme: Disaster Area Lighting Interviewer: Yukiko Saito Saito I was born in Rikuzentakada City, Iwate Prefecture, an area devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. I would like to talk today about “Disaster Area Lighting.” Mende Have y…

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Vol.004- The Bright future of Japan and China

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Interviewer: Chen Liwen Theme:The Bright future of Japan and China Mende So what is the theme today? Chen The bright future of Japan and China. Mende That’s a whopper! Chen, you are Chinese, so can you answer a few of my questions too? Chen…

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Vol.003 – The Herbivorous Younger Generation

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Interviewer: Mayumi Banno Theme:The Herbivorous Younger Generation Banno For a change, I`d like to talk about the younger generation today and their nickname as “herbivores” or “introverts.” Since I have been with LPA, I have had the opport…

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Vol.002 – My expectation for children workshop.

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Interviewer: Noriko Higashi Issued on November 30, 2011 Noriko :Before I started working at LPA, I taught English to children at elementary schools and at my home. I have always really liked working with children. Mr. Mende, how did you com…

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Vol.001 – Media Walls and Façade Lighting

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Theme: Media Walls and facade Lighting Interviewer: Kyoko Takubo Issued on October 31, 2011 Kyoko:Mr. Mende, today I have a problem and, if you don`t mind, I would like to ask for your advice. On a recent project, the client has requested a…

Coffee Break

Vol.000 – Coffee Break with Mende and Me

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Over a 13 year period I have written 76 Mende Notes. I tried, very diligently, to write one every month, but some things just don`t go as planned. So, now I donate this supposed “Note” writing time to a monthly hour and a half l…

Mende's Detectives Note

No.71 – Kasanji Hot Spring Fireworks Show

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There is a famous hot spring called Kasanji in Hamamatsu, Shizoka. By fate, I was invited to the Hotel Kokonoe, run by the Entetsu Group, to view the annual firework show the last weekend in July. The scene from the hotel is picturesque wit…

Mende's Detectives Note

No.70 – Official Visit to Meiji Shrine

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What God do I put my hands together for and pray to? Of course I’ve been to many shrines and temples, but also frequent many Christian churches and Muslim mosques while in foreign countries. I watch the worshipers there and pray as they pra…

Mende's Detectives Note

No.69 – Tama Art University Library

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Ever since the new library was finished I have wanted to go and see it, so 15 members of the Lighting Detectives gathered around dusk for the Tama Art U. campus version of a city walking tour. It is well known that the architect is Toyo Ito…