Theme： Architects of Light Interviewer:　Mikine Yamamoto Yamamoto：Today is a nice day. Japan is lucky to have four seasons and to be able to experience the changes that natural sunlight displays. When I joined LPA 8 years ago I really wanted to design daylight in architecture. Architects like Eero Saarinen, Louis Kahn, and Tadao Ando really incorporate daylight into their buildings and I am inspired by how the architecture, itself, seems to function like a light fixture. When I was a student, I spent most of my free time visiting architecture, especially museums. The space in museums is so dramatic and compelling. I think it is really important to just experience architecture. Spend time enjoying the spaces and be moved by the various expressions brought on by changes throughout the day. That being said, the fundamental and emotional incorporation of light in Scandinavian architecture and Asian architecture is very different. Kimbell Art Museumby Louis Kahn Kresge Chapel : MIT Chapel by Eero Saarinen Mende：I can`t say which is superior, but I believe Scandinavian architects are intuitively keen to detail. The angle of the sun is very low in Northern Europe and Scandinavia and it penetrates to the interior of buildings. It feels like the towns of Northern Europe and Scandinavia seem to be designed with the rising and setting of the sun in mind. The long shadows leave a lasting impression and because there are shadows the light really stands out…

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 for bold color choices. Mende　 Yes, it seems to be that way. Simeng　 I, myself, along with most Chinese people feel a sense of enthusiasm toward bold or vibrant colors. I don’t think it is just because we like glitz and pazazz or don`t understand the quality of single color luminaries. In my opinion I think this phenomenon is rooted in our cultural background. China night scene using extreme color lighting Forbidden City-Chinese Culture That Loves Color Mende　You mean to say that Chinese clients prefer colorful lighting, not because it is trendy, but a completely different deeper reason? Simeng　That is correct. I think I had this realization around the time when the length of my stay in Japan became the same as my time living in China. I remember feeling that Japanese seem to conform to those around them and have the habit of blending in with the crowd, while Chinese like to assert their individuality. We don’t like to be the same as those around us and have a strong conscious feeling that “I am different from you.” Mende　Yes, we even have a saying in Japanese “The nail that sticks out get hammered down.” We are a culture that lives by conforming…

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 and surrounding waterscape, such as the Chao Phraya River and the floating markets in outlying areas, was very impressive.  The river water was very murky, but the reflection of lights on the surface at night was so pretty.   Right now, I am also working on a project where the waterscape is a very important feature of the project.   So I have been thinking a lot lately about what is so charming about waterscapes with lights. Mende　Water and lighting design are deeply rooted.   In terms of urban lighting, the most prominent cities that underwent development long ago were surrounded by water.   In terms of Bangkok, the lighting along the waterscapes is not especially good, but the illumination of Wat Arun and the elevation along the riverside reflects beautifully in the water. Nakamura　Upon reflecting in the water the lighting then becomes beautiful. Mende　In lighting design glass and water are two very important materials.  Their properties are also very similar.  Both are not very easy to work with, but very interesting.  Frosted glass or textured glass is very good at replicating light, but clear glass is not.  It doesn’t reflect light at all. Nakamura　Glass will uniformly receive and transmit light, but the surface of water simmers, creating…

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 interest in stage lighting? Watanabe:　Since I was little, I love to watch movies and theatre.  After graduating high school I had the vague idea that I wanted to go abroad, so I decided to go on a language exchange in China.   After about a year, I had the opportunity to go to a college theatre production.  Chinese stage lighting is very flamboyant!  This is the first time I really thought about stage lighting.  Later I decided to study at this university. Mende:　Why did you move towards architectural lighting while you were studying stage lighting. Watanabe:　While studying stage lighting, I realized and felt like there were limits or constraints in this field.  I felt like I needed to work with lighting design that is closer to our daily lives and society in general and started to focus on architectural lighting. Mende:　Don`t you think there are any constraints or restrictions in architectural lighting.?!  What is the difference between stage lighting and architectural lighting? Watanabe:　I think there are several differences. Even during the design phase of stage lighting, it is a very hands-on approach to design.  A Lot of time is spent at the theater and directly working on the stage. Mende:   I see.  With architectural lighting, after about 80% of the work…