Interviewer: Reiko Kasai       (Mr. Mende’s Toilet Paper Theory at the beginning.) Mr, Mende has experienced an empty toilet paper holder twice since he established the LPA office and was extremely annoyed. ‘Who didn’t replenish new toilet paper after it was empty? You should stop being a designer right now.” In other words, the Mende’s theory is that design is about caring for those around you. If you are not able to do so, you are not qualified to become a designer. This is the first time we have publicly introduced the toilet paper theory. With the founder of LPA, Mr. Mende, and the three current directors, Mari Kubota, Kentaro Tanaka, and Reiko Kasai, we would like to look back on the 30 years of LPA and discuss what kind of company we are. Today, Kasai will be the facilitator. Conversation starts: Kasai: Oops, I do not see any 2400φ(diameter) round tables in the new office (in Tokyo) that we have just moved into at the beginning of last year. Kubota: LPA is now too big to fit around a singular round table. Kasai: When you started LPA 30 years ago, did you think that it would expand to become a company of this scale? What was the state of the world at that time and what was the environment surrounding lighting design? Mende: I started my career in lighting design 43 years ago, and at that time there…

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…

A Free and Open Public Participation event! Date and Time: 5 Nov 2011(Sat), 6:30 – 8:30 pm Venue: Merlion Park, One Fullerton@ Marina Bay Organizer: The Lighting Detectives Singapore In collaboration with: The Fullerton Heritage Supported by:　Japan Creative Centre Held in: Marina Bay “Turn off the lights and take it slow” Candle Night, an environmental and energy conservation event that helps in finding one’s inner sense of time, is the brainchild of a non-profit environmental group in Japan. During this one night event, main building facilities are “lit down”, and candle light events are held. Previous Candle Night events include the Candle Night @OMOTESANDO ? Eco Avenue held since 2003. Last year, we organized the first Candle night event in Singapore, in which over 500 people and public participants created floating lanterns at the Marina Bay. For the 2011 Candle Night @ Marina Bay, the Lighting Detectives together with public participants will light up the Merlion Park and Promenade along One Fullerton in Marina Bay using candles prepared by the participants. Ambient lighting of the buildings in the vicinity will be dimmed in order to achieve the appropriate darkness required to enjoy the spectacle. Participating cafes and restaurants all along the waterfront will be able to enjoy a surrounding atmosphere of soft light with specially designed candles and lanterns in their outdoor seating areas. Using recyclable materials as the principal theme, young children as well as adult will create lanterns…

Date of Issue：May 29, 2018・Activity 1／City Night Survey in Switzerland （2018/04/12-04/17） City Night Survey in Switzerland 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 long-awaited 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…

Interviewer: Jio Yeung Jio： I always wanted to become a video game designer, unfortunately I had to give up my dream.  I am just a beginner when it comes to design so I am looking forward to learning a lot from our talk today.  First, I would like to ask; What does design mean to you? Mende：  If you look up the word design in the dictionary it is written: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan.  But I think it is intent or purpose.  Little fixes or twists in everyday life.  There is also design without any shape.  Taste,  touch, hearing, sight, and smell, design can activate the five senses.  Cooking is also design.   Various materials all whipped together can really make people happy.  Jio：Ok.  Well, what do you think is good design? Mende ：Something that is an upgrade in daily life and universally stimulating.  Kind of  like the door to happiness.  Jio : Yes, I think so too.  Stimulating and makes people feel happy, these are important points.  However, design does seem to be a personal preference? Mende ：Of course, there are likes and dislikes.  For example, taking a very Japanese design and introducing it to China or India, it might not go over very well.   However, there are reasons good design is liked by many people.  Maybe, culturally, health-wise, or for environmentally-friendly reasons.  Even a single pen, the shape or how it is held are all…