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　This is different! Am I now the interviewee? Mende　How come you chose this topic? Chen　 I am Chinese, but often told that I seem very Japanese. So I think I can more objectively state some of the differences between Chinese and Japanese, but I am extremely self-conscious about it. If you can empathize a little with my point of view, it might be useful in some LPA business situations. Mende　 That`s good. Let’s start with a question I am really interested in; how do you think the Japanese and Chinese should get along together? Chen　 Compared to Japan, China is by far more populated, so I think self-assertion is stronger. If you don`t speak up, you go unheard and are just one of the crowd. So I think the drive to stand out is very strong. I don`t think there is any problem with coming on strong and holding your ground. On the other hand, one could do away with the formality of Japanese business and just relate in a more friendly way. Openly attacking the situation yourself is not a bad idea. Off the subject, over half of Japanese are type A and over half of Chinese are type B,…

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 opportunity to travel abroad often on business trips. Especially in China, you can really feel the energy, vitality, and an air of excitement, almost the opposite of Japanese society. The current status of Japan scares me as businesses are getting harder to expand and the need to look at foreign markets is building. However, this younger generation of herbivores and introverts is also growing. The future of Japan is a little worrisome. Mr. Mende, you are anything but an herbivore. Were you already thinking outside of Japan in your 20`s? Mende　Well, for starters, I really love my work and it doesn`t really matter if it is in Japan or another country. However, the approach to projects in Japan is different and of course, the language is different. This can get messy and cause a lot of headaches, but if you slowly increase your vocabulary, it can really be a thrilling opportunity. I have always had a rich sense of curiosity, so this challenge just inspires me to move forward. In other words, it depends on whether one is willing to repeat over and over again these “small adventures” that make up our life. Nowadays, the young generation is hooked on the internet. Everything comes off…

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 come about starting the children`s workshop? There was actually some very surprised staff at LPA!! Mr.Mende　：Children nowadays are exposed to an excessive intake of light and I want them to have the opportunity to experience just a small flicker of light and darkness while they are still young and innocent. I have hope for the next generation that their perception of light and shadow can be reset. But this higher principle aside, working with children is such a joy!! I think it is in my soul that I really like children….and small animals! I am basically a big kid and I want to recover the ability to behave and act freely. I am always saying “learn from natural light.” This is because natural light does not lie. Play and communicating with children is the same. They can make you aware of so many things. With unanticipated reactions, children are admirably hardy. Noriko　：There is one thing that I am curious about. Even a small, one-year old, baby has the strong motivation to make the workshop crafts by themselves, but adults are always lending a hand so they won`t fail. For example the candle might melt the plastic bottle or the shape is odd;…

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 media wall style façade. To me, it seems that the client is not just asking for simple signage, but something I never expected from this particular project. Instead of a media wall, I want to design façade lighting that is more artistic and stylish. What do you think? Can a media wall be artistically beautiful? Mende:Maybe, but the sole purpose of lighting design is not just designing beautiful nightscapes. If the client wants a design that draws in people, just beauty alone will not attract people. I don`t think we can call the project a success if nobody comes. Kyoko: So I should design a place people will want to come to? Mende: Commercial lighting design is not just about beauty. Rather because of the lighting design, the buying, selling and excitement of the area is what is demanded. It’s a delicate balance. Sometimes people are drawn to rather ugly places, however just because that is the case doesn`t mean that you should be able to design whatever you want. In commercial design sometimes the slightly wacky has just enough charm to draw in a crowd. However, as lighting designers, we can add fun and awe and make the…

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 lunchtime chat with a LPA staff member. This new column, “Coffee Break with Mende and Me”, is an opportunity to talk frankly with my staff about lighting, design, architecture, or other worldly problems. Whatever they are interested in is the topic of the interview. So enjoy these monthly chats as I will too, over a cup of coffee with my staff.