OSAKA

Singapore Archifest 20252025.07.18 Josephine Kwan As part of the annual architecture festival in Singapore, Archifest 2025 invited us to host a special Lighting Detectives session in the East Coast.The Katong–Joo Chiat district, celebrated for its rich history, heritage, vibrant food scene, and evolving lifestyle, became our exploration ground. ■ IntroductionWith a total of thirty participants comprising both industry professionals and those from outside the field, we embarked on two routes to uncover the night time charm of this Peranakan cultural enclave — a place whose unique character and timeless beauty continue to capture the hearts of many. ■ History of Katong-Joo Chiat DistrictIn the early 20th century, members of the wealthy Peranakan community began moving out of the crowded city areas such as Telok Ayer, Ann Siang, and Tanjong Pagar. They sought peaceful, more spacious suburban residences in the East Coast — particularly in Katong-Joo Chiat — where land was more affordable and the sea was close by. In Katong-Joo Chiat, Peranakans built rows of houses and shophouses featuring distinctive Peranakan architectural details: intricate façade tiles, vibrant colours, ornate wood carvings, and floral motifs. Many of these homes served a dual purpose — both as family residences and as small businesses, such as beadwork ateliers, bakeries, and houseware shops. As more Peranakan families settled in, Katong-Joo Chiat blossomed into a thriving cultural enclave. Temples, kopitiams (coffeeshops), tailors, and food vendors reflected the vibrant Nyonya traditions, while festivals, weddings, and rituals…

2024.02.06-02.12 Masafumi Yamamoto + Yuki Ito We visited Alaska at the beginning of February. The purpose was to investigate the light environment in the Arctic under the theme of ‘Mother Nature’, focusing on urban areas, living environments, Eskimo life, and the wilderness. In this study, we stayed in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, and Fairbanks, a citysurrounded by nature. In Fairbanks, we stayed at a lodge in the mountains and observed the northern lights. ■Arctic City After noon in Fairbanks, a city as close to the Arctic Circle as you can reach. The weather is clear. The sun has risen close to the horizon and is about to set. Houses and trees cast long shadows on the ground. It is a beautiful scene, as if I had dipped the tip of my paintbrush in dark blue watercolor paint and carefully traced a stroke on a white canvas covered with snow. The temperature here is minus 20°C (68°F). Still, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. The temperature can reach minus 40°C (-40°F) during the harshest season, while the four seasons are rich in variety. The temperature drops even further when the wind blows. This is the kind of Alaska I wanted to visit. The flora and fauna live in such a harsh natural environment. Human life right next to them. We would like to investigate the lighting culture while unraveling the reasons for this. ■Closing…

Interviewer: Sunny Xu Sunny: Hi Mr. Mende. Today I would like to talk about a new technologic: AI (Artificial intelligence). What do you think about AI as a design tool? Mende: Have you tried to use AI to make some sentences or other things? Sunny: Recently, I tried to use an AI tool, Mid-journey, at a workshop with the Singapore office.  First, the user types into the app simple words or phrases, what style you want, or what object you want to see.   Then the app will show the user images. For example, if I want to see Singapore, Sentosa, or other locations and lighting, then I just type in these words, and the app will show different versions of this image.  The computer can also make some beautiful perspectives or drawings. Mende: So what do you think about this latest technology for our lighting design business or the project teams? Sunny: On the negative side, a lot of time is needed for AI to show complete work. However, since I have studied drawing in the past, I think drawing is faster than trying again and again. This is my position. Mende: Could Mid-journey create new designs or new lightscpaes for our projects.? For example, a hotel guest room. What will be the new design? I don’t know if AI will be able to exceed our creativity in this area.  A fellow professional recently stated, instead of  lighting designers, if…

Date: September 19th, 2008 Program: City tour, Lecture, Workshop, City Survey, Exhibition, Symposium Venue: B.C. Usce 7th Annual Transnational Tanteidan Forum in Belgrade Once a year the Lighting Detectives hold their annual Transnational Tanteidan Forum, this year being the 7th year. Using the Lighting Detective network that has spread throughout the world, members from different countries wanted the opportunity to discuss different lighting cultures and so the first Forum was held in Tokyo in 2002. From there it was been hosted by Stockholm, Hamburg, New York City, Singapore, and Copenhagen. This year the forum was hosted by Belgrade, Serbia, the former capital of Yugoslavia. This is the hometown of Transnational Tanteidan core member and artist, Alexandria, currently living in Stockholm, who insisted on hosting this year’s form in the growing capital. The forum was held in conjunction with a local event “Belgrade of Light,” receiving extensive PR time from local TV stations, newspapers, and magazines. Searching for Heroes and Villains of Light! Regarded as a crash course to the Lighting Detective, “Searching for Heroes and Villains,” is an easy introduction to the activities of the Lighting Detectives. In conjunction with the 2008 forum we also held a Heroes and Villains Workshop, with about 50 students in attendance from Stockholm, Belgrade, and Tokyo. This activity is very simple. Groups of students go out into the city at night, look for examples of good lighting, heroes, and bad lighting, villains. Afterwards, the…

2014.06.24-06.29　　　Ai Sohara+ Mami Ichida With the population of 60 million and the 2nd largest country in South East Asia, Myanmar has not yet been well-known to the world because of its isolated policy for over a half century. Reforming as a democratic nation in recent years, Myanmar is now developing very rapidly and its cities are witnessing fast urban growth. The survey was made to “unveil” the role of light in three different cities. Sulepaya, View from the Surepaya As darkness falls over Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, golden pagodas enhance its majestic presence in contrast to the modest living environment. These brilliant pagodas symbolize the faith of the local people. Street light at Naypyidaw Nay Phi Taw, the vast but empty new capital, seems the only city without electrical problems. Unlike other cities, road and public facilities are built with lighting technology and are well maintained. View from the Shwesandaw Pagoda The winning light in Old Bagan, where almost no artificial light can be seen, is absolutely during dusk. Watching thousands of pagodas turning into silhouettes and eventually merging into darkness creates the impression as if you are traveling back to ancient times.