Vol.000 – Coffee Break with Mende and Me

2025.01.15-01.19 Masafumi Yamamoto + Yuichi Anzai About 65 years ago, a vast area at the foothills of the Himalayas was divided into districts for government functions, commerce, education, and residences, with separated roads, creating a landscape completely different from other Indian cities. This survey takes a multifaceted approach to examine Chandigarh’s urban lighting and nightscape, while observing the natural light expressions inspired by Le Corbusier’s architecture. ■Light RaysFirst, I quote the words of Le Corbusier:“Chandigarh is planned on a human scale. It connects to the infinite universe and nature. It is a place for all human activities where citizens can live a rich and harmonious life. Here, the radiance of nature and the heart is within our reach.”A vast paved ground is moistened by a dense white mist. About 180 meters ahead from where I stand, the High Court building faintly appears. Its enormous facade faces east and west. The sky behind peeks from beneath the portico, and the rays of light passing through it gently caress the huge concrete pillars painted red, yellow, and green, casting the morning sun on the ground. In this city, I encountered several lyrical daylight scenes. I believe this is because the philosophy of Atelier Le Corbusier in Paris, who designed this Capitol Complex, also extended to the urban layout. Until now, Chandigarh has been discussed mainly from an architectural viewpoint. However, I feel it has not been explored much from the perspective of…

13th Transnational Lighting Detectives Forum in Kyoto Kyoto, a city literally has a meaning of ‘capital city,’ used to serve as a capital of Japan for centuries. This gives no surprise that city is full of 1600 over historical temples and sublime gardens attracting a number of overseas tourists. 13th TNT forum was held in this beautiful and historic city with a theme, ‘Heritage’ with 10 lighting experts and students from Kyoto University of Art & Design, Kyoto University School of Architecture Housing and Environmental Design + Ishida Lab, Kyoto City University of Arts Environmental Design Lab and Kyoto Institute of Technology Sakata Lab. The forum discussed for a better and more ‘Kyoto’ like lighting environment. Contents Lighting Detectives Forum had following four contents. ① Talk Event The Forum has two talk events based on the Forum common theme “Heritage”. ・Presen-Night “Kyoto+Heritage of Light” ・Talk Event “Light of Historical City – Mexico City・ Belgrade・ Madrid・Kyoto-” ② Student Workshop Group discussion on Kyoto Nightscape. ③ Light Up Presentation & Critique ・Light up the four areas and give presentation on design concept by students ・Critique for the light up by Lighting Detectives members ④ Party Two parties were held to thank people to support the evnet. ・Welcome Party ・Farewell Party Presen-Night　 June 8 @ The Museum of Kyoto Annex Hall Theme: “Kyoto+Heritage of Light” The Museum of Kyoto Annex Hall Presenters: -Kyoto University of Art & Design -Kyoto University School of Architecture…

Interviewer: Lin Tsan Lin： Today I`d like to talk about novel and design.  I have been writing fiction since I was in Jr. high.  I didn’t plan on becoming a designer, but here I am at LPA.  Since then, I’ve noticed that creating fiction is a little like design. Mende： So, how do you write your stories? Lin： Now, I have a computer, so my last step is to type, but first I use a pencil and notepad to write my themes, story and flow.  A skeleton if you will.  The meat comes last on the computer.  Even if I think I have finished, it is necessary to go back and fix and rewrite, several times. Mende：A Lot of lighting design is structured around instinct.  So, sometimes an initial rough sketch is the end design, but we also think of scenarios to go along with lighting designs.  For example, what kind of light would be most comfortable for visitors?  Or, maybe seasonal scenarios, but I don’t think our designs are quite as elaborate as your method of writing and rewriting. Lin： For me, my first draft is usually the longest.  After I finish writing I let it simmer for about a week, as I also collect my composure.  Then like a wood carver, I widdle it down, revise, eliminatinate, and repeat.  How about essays?  The process seems more lighthearted.  Mende： Yes, essays… Once, I was asked to write a book, but…

Date of Issue：28 June, 2022・Activity1/Night Walks in Basel（2022.05.10&13）・Activity2/Night Walks in Singapore, Live Stream (2022.04.21）Lighting Detectives News Letter Vol.110 Download PDF version During the Basel Architecture Week 2022, Transnational Lighting Detectives together with local lighting design firmHübscher Gestaltet led two guided night walks in two of Basel’s less known areas: Dreispitz and Klybeck. Night Walks in Basel Basel Architecture Week 20222022.05.10 & 05.13　Lisbeth Skindbjerg Kristensen+Kelly Bannwart+Michael Hübscher ■ At the Biegining　In January 2022, Kelly Bannwart and Michael Hübscher from the Basel Lighting Design office HÛBSCHER GESTALTET contacted the Lighting Detectives to ask if it would be possible to do a col laboration during theupcoming Basel Architecture week.It was quickly agreed that Lighting Detective core member Lisbeth Skindbjerg Kristensen, who currently lives in Basel, would participate.The theme of this year’s Architecture week was “Reale Räume” (Real Spaces) of three current development sites: Dreispitz Münchenstein), Bachgraben (Allschwil) and lybeck (Basel). The AWB uses various formats to promote dialogue between experts and local protagonists.The Forum offered an opportunity to discover these sites and exchange views on the urban transformation processwith the various stakeholders.For the night walks Hübscher Gestaltet had chosen to focus on the areas of Dreispitz and Klybeck. Both areas arecurrently undergoing transformations from mainly industrial to mixed use and residential neighbourhoods. ■ Night Walk 1 Basel DreispitzMay.10(Tue) Dreispitz (21h to 23h) Number of participants: 14 (with various backgrounds, mostly not related to lighting)Dreispitz is a mixed use semi-industrial area located in the…

Once every two years「Light & Building」, the world’s largest lighting trade fair, opens in Frankfurt and I always make a point of attending. This year was no different, as my fourth time to attend, along with five colligates from LPA; we took up residence in Frankfurt for three days. The Frankfurt trade fair started just eight years ago, but its predecessor was the Hanover trade fair. I used to attend that fair as well and it just seemed like a fun time. All trade fair event halls are the same crowd of people poking around the booths until they are bushed, but the Frankfurt trade fair has a different feel. Like Europe in the springtime when fresh white asparagus should begin showing up on the menu, I just can’t not go! I said we were at the exhibition for three days, but really its only two and you can’t do much in two days. I leave the combing of the huge event hall to the younger staff and I seem to network more than I look at the fixtures. I am thrilled to see old friends from the lighting profession again. Just prowling around the exhibition hall and I’m bound to be tapped on the shoulder or suddenly hugged or hear my name called from afar, endless boisterous encounters. There are also those encounters that I don’t try to initiate or avoid altogether, but sometimes there is no other choice….