Date of Issue: 2 December, 2024– Activity 1/ Night Walk Vol.74: Kawasaki Musashi-Kosugi（2024.10.04）– Activity 2/  Children Workshop: Night Walk in Aoyama and Photo Taking (2024.11.2）– Activity 3/  Round Table Discussion vol.72: Musashi Kosugi Night Walk Review (2024.10.25） Night Walk Vol.74: Kawasaki Musashi-Kosugi– From Industrial Zone to Japan’s Leading Tower Mansion City –2024.10.04 Yutaka Enomoto + Yuko Nakayama + Noriko Higashi Musashi-Kosugi, a major transportation hub served by the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, JR Nambu Line, Yokosuka Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and the Sotetsu Line, offers convenient access to both Yokohama and Tokyo. Over the past decades, the area has undergone rapid development, leading to a significant increase in its population. However, the station area still retains traditional shopping streets and izakaya districts, creating a striking contrast with the towering high-rise buildings. This walk focused on exploring the coexistence of these new and old elements of the area. Historically, Musashi-Kosugi flourished as a boat crossing on the Nakahara Kaido during the Edo period. Later, it became home to numerous factories. However, as these factories relocated, redevelopment plans were initiated, transforming the city’s landscape. The changes over the past decade have been particularly dramatic, with a population increase of 60,000 compared to 20 years ago. ■Group 1 Group 1 focused on exploring areas with a nostalgic atmosphere, including low-rise residential neighborhoods and traditional shopping streets. The shopping streets had implemented creative lighting installations to enhance the atmosphere. In particular, an “analog interactive…

Because of the pandemic I have not set foot in another country since last February, 15 months ago. Up until then, I would freely go on two or three business trips a month. So, there is this dark feeling, a bit like imprisonment, creeping in. I have a pretty daring mental spirit and I am largely unaware of huge stresses in my life. So, I kept telling myself that during the pandemic and this immobile lifestyle, it is a perfect opportunity to discover a new side to myself. As our lives have changed dramatically, I have been satisfied by my curiosity towards these changes. However, just this one time, if I was to say what I really feel, I might mutter a simple prayer to the heavens, “Please, oh, please, by any means, do something fast.” Huhhh…What is happening? This side of me is pathetic. I have realized lately that the green surrounding the new LPA office is what inspires and encourages this other side of me. Just one year ago on May 4th, I wrote an essay with a very lonely title, Note #80 “Alone in the New Office.” Rereading it now, I find it very interesting. As of one year ago, Chou Ward, Tsukuda 1 is the address of our new office surrounded by greenery. The huge office windows frame rich greenery swaying in the breeze and throughout the day expressions of the greenery constantly change, just leap…

Date of issued：Jun.26, 2017 ・Activity 1／Transnational Lighting Detectives Forum 2017 in Kyoto（2017/06/08-10） ・Activity 2／Night Watching Tour：Hachijo-Jima Island（2017/07/02） 照明探偵団通信第81号　Download PDF Transnational Lighting Detectives Forum 2017 in Kyoto 2017/06/08-10 Tokyo was the kickoff city for the Transnational Tanteidan Forum, and after traveling the world to 12 cities, the forum was hosted by Japan in Kyoto. Along with local residents and students the forum focused discussion and debate on Kyoto-style of light. For 3-days the forum led continuous discussions and debates on Kyoto-style of light, with impromptu studies of neighborhood lighting and design proposals. The lighting design proposals were also tested in a round of Light Up Ninja! Contents of the Forum 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 Housing and Environmental Design + Ishida Lab. Kyoto City…

A mysterious installation of light called the Labyrinth of Light was announced by the Milano Salone 2021. https://www.nitto.com/jp/en/products/raycrea/ In collaboration with Nitto Electric Industry, LPA incorporated Raycrea, Nitto Electric Industry`s newly developed material, into a light and space design.  The installation was well received by visitors with the attention that defied our expectations.  Hosted in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, there were admission restrictions in place, but a number of visitors lined up to get in.  Today, September 8th,  I am headed back to Tokyo early and raising my glass in a solo toast of relief.  I am very happy with the result, almost a perfect execution.  As architectural lighting designers, this kind of installation work is a whole different world of design.  The relationship between light and people is very close, for a very intuitive and stimulating result.  Especially in the case of this installation, the design is associated with axes of time, so the venue is similar to a theatre without an audience.  Visitors are free to roam throughout the labyrinth of light and follow what catches their eye.  However, while they are moving, scenes and lighting effects are changing, creating multiple-layers of light and confusion.  On a sunny day, visitors to the Salone experience the autumn sunlight of Italy, measured at 100,000 lux, before entering the building.  Upon entrance, a black wall directs visitors to the beginning of the labyrinth, where everyone seems to stop, look,…

Interviewer: Masashi Kurobe Kurobe:  Today’s coffee break theme is “Cities and Countryside.” I come from a rural town, but I have been living in Tokyo for some time now and have gotten used to urban life.  Recently, I went to Shimane Izumo for a lighting survey.  While walking through the town, I found that the lighting was different from that in the city, simple and not overly decorated, which was very attractive. Personally, I like experiencing first hand light  in rural areas and viewing city lights from a distance.  For example, the night view from the LPA office. Mende:  That’s a new perspective. Speaking of “cities and countryside,” when we say things like “there are no dark places in Tokyo,” but in the countryside, there are so many dark places that people might fall into rice fields. So, they say they need more lights and install LED security lights. Stereotypically speaking, I think there is a huge difference in the atmosphere or quality of light in the city and the countryside. Kurobe:  That’s true. When I lived in my hometown, I never thought darkness was an inconvenience, but now when I go back home, there are so many places that are truly dark and you can’t see anything.Now, I think you’ve traveled to many countries. Do you have a favorite rural town or countryside area? Mende:  I have traveled, but mostly for business trips as an adult.  So my perspective…