Zurich ⇒ Bern ⇒ Basel2018/04/12-04/17　　Yumi Honda + Kyoko Takubo We visited Switzerland in search of places with light where people gather. Celebrating the longawaited arrival of spring, we found that more people than we expected were relaxing outdoors from morning until night. During the day, they enjoyed the abundant nature and beautiful cityscapes, soaking up the natural light. At night, people were chatting and laughing in a soft, gentle light. We climbed a dark hill for an elevated nightscape shot, but even there, it wasn’t tourists but locals who were gazing at the nightscape. We were able to find a city light in Switzerland that makes you want to spend a long, leisurely time there. People enjoying the sunset on the shores of Lake Zurich People Gathering on the Riverside in Basel, with Beers in Hand ■Waterside at DuskOn a warm spring evening, people gather on the shores of Lake Zurich. In open areas with a view, everyone enjoys the passing of time in their own way—a unique luxury. After the sun sets and the sky turns indigo, historical buildings from the Middle Ages are softly lit and reflected on the water’s surface. The reason this atmosphere can be enjoyed comes from a combination of historical background and urban planning.First, the number of cars is overwhelmingly small compared to other cities. The city is not obstructed by wide roads or traffic jams, so you can feel close to the river,…

Worldwide City Lighting Report in Copenhagen / Stockholm December 2-9, 2017　|　Written by: Hu Lin and Simeng Huang Located in high latitudes on the Northern Hemisphere, northern European countries including Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark are known to be very unique in terms of the seasonal natural phenomena – the midnight sun during the summer, and the polar night during winter. In this December, we went to some of the cities experiencing the polar night during winter to research lighting environment. Considering extremely long night hours can affect circadian rhythm, are city lighting and residential lighting in those countries designed to eliminate the problem? In this trip we closely looked at the light environment that are unique to Northern Europe, gained through observation of public facilities and residential lighting. Here is the research results. Christiansborg Palace Pole lamps at bicycle parking outside the Danish Parliament Catenary lighting illuminating the roadway ■Copenhagen, Denmark In Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, classic design and contemporary design co-exist, each divides the city into visually distinctive areas. An area across a canal is on a new development with various kinds of new buildings are being constructed. If you walk in this city, you will feel the history of Copenhagen and be convinced how this city takes creative culture so important. ■Classical Lighting Copenhagen is a city where you can feel its history reflected upon the classical architectural design and how they use light. The city is…

East meets west in the Islamic streets of Istanbul, as quite unique light are unleashed. Light from many different directions is churned together, as in the bright light particles of the bazaar and the interiors of the mosque. A testimony of the Islam Religion is in the minaret floating in the silent shadows and the blue moon reflected in the Bosporus. From a hill above the old town, the moon reflects in the Bosporus Strait. The faint residential lights and hushed silence create a spiritual-like setting. The tall minaret towers emphasize the silhouettee of Hagaia Sofia (also spelled Ayasofya). During the summer months sound and light interact on the grounds in a dramatic show for viewers. Sound and light mysteriously interact inside the Blue Mosque. Visitors are left wondering: Where is the light coming from? Where is the sound coming from?

2014.02.01-02.11 Kanon Hujimoto + Mayumi Banno Italy is an irresistible destination to travellers from all over the world, including the Lighting Detectives. We toured three big cities, Rome, Milan, and Firenze, and two smaller cities, Bergamo and Siena, to discover the nightscape and compare the illumination of historical buildings and more modern structures. For most of the historical architecture we visited the light source and color temperature used depended on the building material and color, with a slight shift to the use of LED fixtures. In many churches and museums, the effective use of daylight incorporated into the structures was overwhelming. Piazza della Repubblica Lighting for Colosseum Papal Basilica of Saint Peter MAXXI Museo Nazionale delle Arti XXI Secolo, Completion: 2010 Galería Víctor Manuel II (left) and Duomo di Milan(Right) Compared to the galleria, duomo is roughly illuminated by flood light which makes details of architecture looks bit too flat. People are enjoying window‐shopping in the corridor inside of Galeria. Wall sconces give elegant vibrancy in the context of the last natural light of the day from the top light. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, in Bergamo Collaboration of natural light and artificial light softly melt in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, in Bergamo. We felt the solid relationship between the light and the religion. Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo enveloped by fog.

Berlin is a multi-cultural city. Amongst the streets dating back to the Middle Ages, are very modern buildings that mysterious blend perfectly with the historical surroundings. In conjunction with this city survey we also attended the Festival of Lights, a lighting event in Berlin that keeps growing every year. Around the city light up, projections, and installations are arranged expanding the event and developing a lively night culture in the city. Looking over the city westward from the top of the TV tower. The axis of Unter den Linden extends toward the brightly lit Brandenburger Gate. Around the Potsdamer Platz are several modern buildings, but over all flashy displays of light or advertising does not stand out. One installation cover the street corner is colorful messages. Old and young, after-hour office workers and tourists, the city is alive with pedestrians enjoying the light entertainment and actually become part of the installations themselves. Festival viewers are proactive; men and women, old and young, all are enjoying the light entertainment. An older group of gentlemen shower themselves in color light and play in the color shadows and several older women carry around a camera and tripod snapping photos here and there. The festival is not just about technological quality, but creating a fun and entertaining culture.

The spirit of light and water reside in Venice. In every corner of the small maze-like alleyways, light and water dance together. During the day it is the sunlight and shadows shining on the water’s surface, at night the small street lamps cast a reflection in the water, Venice creates not only a city of water, but also a city of light. A typical scene along the streets of Venice, a bridge illuminated above the dimly lit canal. Looking from the Ponte di Rialto , the sunset on the Canal Grande unfolds. The people of Venice prefer the waters edge, a boundary between light and shadows along the canals.

Santorini, one of the many island of Greece, is a crescent-shaped island in the Aegean Sea. The chalk-white townscape on top of the steep bluffs of this island constantly changes with the natural light, like a painter’s canvas, and one is reminded that artificial light does not compare to the beauty of natural light. One of the many Greek Orthodox Churches in Oia Village of Santorini Island. The strong afternoon sunrays reflected off the white walls and blue roof of the church as the ocean and sky sink into the background. Lights come on slowly as the evening approaches Oia. Everyday tourists gather on the tip of the cape to view the sunset that is said to be the one of the best in the world. Five hundred and eighty stairs take one up 300m from the waters edge to the top of the bluff. Along this narrow path, light from souvenir shops is the only illumination in the night.

Praha, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a one of the European cities with several buildings, streets, and city features preserved from the middle ages,　and a very popular destination for tourists. The city, also famous for its many steeples and ｓｐｉｒｅｓ, is referred to as the City of a 100 Steeples. Around the city, streetlamps have been changed to LED fixtures and LEDs are used in flood lighting as well. This is a city to watch for future shifts and movement in the lighting environment. The Prague Castle is a complex of several architectural structures and is one of the oldest castles in the world. Several flood lights mounted on the ground and on roof tops uniformly illuminate the castle facade. From the opposite bank of the Valtava River, the entire castle is visible through a light mist. In the old town, milky-white globe lanterns line the streets. From afar the city seems to be surrounded in an orange haze. Wenceslas Square is situated in the new town of Praha. The middle ages atmosphere is preserved in the plaza, but several modern structures are also built. Along with several pole streetlights, bright luminous signage also stands out in the plaza.

The Paris nightscape has become a model for nightscapes around the world. Appreciation for the streets of Paris has helped to preserve and restore them to places of beauty during the day and at night. At night, the streets emerge as distinct axes of light and one wonders how far urban light planning will progress. Illuminated in white light, the La Grande Arche, gives the impression of a modern-day city. Set against a dark background, the lofty figure of the Eiffel Tower glows impressively. Looking towards Montparnasse from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The bright building in the center is Montparnasse Tower.

The design of the Lyon nightscape is a joint venture between the government and the citizens. Various lighting materials are used by trail and error throughout the city to create its lightscape. Standing on a street corner one gets the impression that paint materials were thrown onto a canvas, as the artist decided what kind of city and nightscape to paint. The striking blue florescent lights and sodium lamps illuminate the National Institute of Music along the River Saone. The view from La Colline de Fourviere across the City of Lyon is beautiful, with no glaring lights in sight. The Justice Suspension Bridge over the River Saone is just 4.2 meters wide.

A profound lightness and darkness soaks into the classic streets of London. There is not any flashy propaganda, but the orange street lights in the late night fog bring the history of the city and its lights alive. The question now is how much further London is willing to renovate its historic streets. Light sneaking out from the pubs and alleyways conveys the flavor of London`s streetscape. It comes as a surprise that there are not more night viewing points along the Thames River. There are no observatories from which to view the entire city, creating a shortsighted view of the city. The stone facade of the architecture matches the fine light of the matiere.

The thoughts and ideas of Poul Henningsen seem to be present throughout the streets of Copenhagen. Co-existing soft, tender light and natural light combine to create a nightscape in Copenhagen that reminds us technology is not always the answer. The catenary lights strung across Stroget Plaza and warm light from the surrounding windows gives a striking appearance to the plaza. The sidewalks along Stroget wrapped in the blue moment. At dusk, PH (Poul Henningsen) lamps are visible though living room windows, as time seems to slow down for the evening.

Even as the busy capital of Hungary, this city is almost free of fancy colored-lighting and flashy signage. Overall there is not much facade lighting or the glamorous atmosphere associated with many larger cities in Western Europe. However, amongst the quiet streets, historical buildings here and there are illuminated and color temperatures are roughly unified for a very comfortable nightscape with an added sense of security. View of the Danube River from Gellert Hill. On the left bank, several historic buildings are built into the hilly terrain and along the right bank, the city spreads across the flat land. Illuminated buildings over two-stories high are very few with a hand-full of buildings and bridges standing out against the dark night. View of the Royal Palace and Chain Bridge, named for the rows of lamps along the suspension cables that resemble links of chain. At night, the reflection in the Danube River creates a beautiful nightscape. Most arterial roads in the city are lit with high-pressure sodium lamps, but fixtures are adjusted for roadways, pedestrians, and tram platforms. Smaller streets intertwined between buildings are lit manly by catenary lighting.

The new cityscape in Potsdamer Platz is a symbol for the new Berlin. Like light, the shadow from the wall that separated the east and west has dwindled to nothing, but some things still stay the same. The light along Ku-Damm Street still creates a gentle axis of light, providing a welcoming atmosphere for the bustle of people. The Sony Center, with its impressive rooftop called the Fujiyama. The Siegassaule, a symbol of east and west division and unification, stands out in illumination. The showcases along Ku-Damm Street continue for 2km. This street transforms by night into a sidewalk light by large lantern-like show windows.

Barcelona is a city of monuments, whether driving or walking, these unforgett- able symbols of Barcelona are everywhere. At night, the lights of the city further jog one’s memory and create distinctive perspective projections. Streaks from xenon lamps radiate from the top of the Nacional Palace leaving a graphical pattern in the sky. A symbol of Barcelona, the unfinished Sagrada Familia. Shadows at night, further increase the impact of this cathedral. Approaching Place Espanyla from Nacional Palace .

Our survey took place after the dust settled from the construction rush to finish infrastructure for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Around the main tourist attractions the lighting atmosphere was very orderly, but in Athens the ancient and modern co-habitat to create a charming townscape, possibly found in no other city. Under a perfect blue sky, the Parthenon stands surrounded by Doric columns. Over the years under direct sunlight, weathering has taken its toll on the building, but its presence still gives the illusion of a slip back in time. An illuminated Parthenon as viewed from the historic district of Plaka. Seeing the historic townscape, as it must have been in ancient times intertwined with modern adaptations, is one of the attractions of the Athens nightscape. To the eye, significant contrasts in light and dark are apparent in Sintagma Square. Some of the most brightly lit places in the plaza registering 300lx and the places like the stairs leading down to the plaza completely dark. Some fixtures also seem as bright as the sun, almost like afternoon daylight.

Saint Petersburg is a city of deep imperial and artistic culture. As the city was once the capital of the Russian Empire, many impressive palaces and cathedrals convey this great history. Although, there are not many newly constructed buildings in the city and it doesn’t seem that the economic growth of recent years has improved the lighting environment of the city. Once a secret hide-a-way of the empress this building is now the State Hermitage Museum. As a former private art museum to royalty and aristocracy, the luxuriousness of the interior is a little overwhelming, but the lighting environment is absolutely beautiful. Pleasure boats run tours on the Neva Heba River at night to view the river nightscape cutting though the middle of the city. The shimmer of lights on the water’s surface is awe-inspiring. The fancily decorated palaces and cathedrals are symbols of this once imperial culture. At night most are light up to emphasis their beauty. However, the city also has many waterways and the nightscape along these canals is a lonelier story.

During the day short sleeves are fine, but even the Russian summer nights are cool with a little bit of white breathe after the sun goes down. Many main roads run through the middle of Moscow with classic Stalin style architecture lining the sides of the streets. The detailed, but dynamic lighting is very becoming for this architecture. On the other hand, lighting for roadways and plazas is rougher and not as artistically finished. The Red Square has been the stage for numerous historical events. The entire plaza is beautiful paved in stone, but at night huge floodlights shine huge amounts of light on the plaza and the glare is unbelievable. This beautiful, palace-like subway station platform is not uncommon in Moscow. We didn’t see one naked fluorescent light, very common in Japan, but each platform space was softly lit with indirect lighting. In the suburbs of Moscow along the river is the new “Moscow City,” a large multi-complex project still under construction. The developed area is a whopping 10,000 sqkm! What kind of lighting will this new town have? We’ll have to wait until its finished in 2020.

The streets of Moscow are mostly buried in shadows except for a few groups of lucent buildings, maybe an expression of authority. During the intense commercial time bawdy lights are lost, along with street activity, and stillness returns to the city. Now, towering lights dot the cold winter landscape. Looking towards Moskva University at dusk. The Bolshoi Theatre rebuilt in 1856. The upper lights set off the detail of this Greek-style Architecture. Christmas illumination at Tsum Department Store next to Bolshoi Theatre.

Five main canals fan out from the central station to form the city of Amsterdam. In contrast to the nostalgic streetscape along the canals, newly redeveloped areas include modern Dutch architecture with a touch of humor. Because these buildings stand in the same city the lighting environment is rich in variety. The signage at Schiphol Airport is easy to read and designed so anybody can understand with very effective use of color and light. For the residence of Amsterdam the waterfront is their backyard. Just watching the way they live, water is a part of their normal lives. Even the ordinary streets seem wistful as the canals wind through the city. I was completely surprised by the shear amount and variety of flowers and bulbs at this flower shop. A floodlight was mounted to the ceiling and illuminated the entire lot of flowers.