1993-1995 project list RAY index	3 Head Office Building of Kume Sekkei Canon Headquarters Lobby Suzuhiro Prismatic Cube
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Head Office Building of Kume Sekkei Architect: Kume Sekkei Co., Ltd. Construction completed: June 1993		.
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With a six-story high foyer at the center, this building is divided into three types of areas; an atrium, a work area, and a recreation area. Two points to consider when planning lighting are the creation of dynamic contrast between spaces and the creation of change in atmosphere, one which is achieved by using different color temperature lamps. While the lighting in the working area is maintained relatively high in color temperature, the lighting in the recreation area is kept low to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere. This contrast feeling is achieved by using 5,000K fluorescent lamps in the working area, which blend well with the natural light, and 3,000K halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps in the recreation area. Then, what is the best color temperature lamp for the atrium which links the above two areas that have totally different functions? A high color temperature lamp similar to the one in the working area would destroy the unique outstanding feature of the atrium. However, a soft low color temperature lamp like the ones seen in hotel lobbies would create too much affable feeling which would conflict with high color temperature lamp in the work area. As the atrium is a reception area, an unique impression should be created. Considering these points, 3,500K metal halide lamps, slightly higher in color temperature than the ones used in the canteen and the bar area are selected for the basic lighting of the atrium.
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Canon Headquarters Lobby Architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd. Construction completed: November 1992		.
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The lobby in the center of the building, with its 16-meter-high ceiling, is also an area which express the corporate identity of Canon. Located on the second floor, it is connected to the ground floor entrance hall by a stairway. The lobby normally serves as a foyer for the conference hall, but on special occasions may be used for receptions or exhibitions of the new products. Daytime and nighttime lighting were designed with lamps of different color temperatures. During the day, toplight through the glass roof onto the lobby floor is only 1-10 percent of daylight. Therefore, 250W metal halide wall washer downlights were installed to provide supplementary illumination for both side walls; this created a free, open, well-lighted space. At night, the above-mentioned metal halide lamps are switched off, and warm light emanates from halogen lamps. Two types of halogen lamps were installed in the fixtures hanging from the glass roof. One is a 500W narrow beam spotlight which throws light into the center of the lobby; the other is a 100W halogen lamp which illuminates the walls around the glass roof. On the stairway, only footlights built into the railings show the way. Thus, the active daytime atmosphere is changed to one of quietness with rich shadings and shadows. Auto-lifters installed in wall washer downlights and roof-hung lights permit easy maintenance.
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Suzuhiro Construction completed: March 1993
At the foot of Hakone stands Rakushuri Suzuhiro, a Japanese style banquet hall run by Suzuhiro, an old, well-known kamaboko (boiled fish sausage) manufacturer. This building is a traditional wooden house of the Etchu region, moved and reconstructed here. In order that it could be seen clearly from National Route 1 and the Odawara-Atsugi Road, the building has been illuminated with spotlights; however, the color of the light was rather cold, and on the days with no party being held, the building left a lonely impression. We set about correcting this with our lighting renewal project. By adjusting the direction and position of existing lighting fixtures, the entire roof is illuminated. In addition, lighting was added to illuminate both the interior and exterior, creating a feeling of warmth even when the building is not being used. The building has been completely changed, giving an impression of warmth and life to both users and passersby.
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Prismatic Cube Architect: Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc. T.I.S. & Partners Construction completed: December 1993	photo (C) KOBAYASHI, Kenji.	.
		1994 IIDA / Award of Merit
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Prismatic Cube serves as a rain shelter which envelopes the elevator shaft and covers the staircase between the square and the bike parking area. There had been a plan to have a facility. However, as no concrete design was ever made that would keep in harmony with surrounding landscape, the place was left without a permanent installation for a long time. Considering that the place is the center of the night scene, Kawaguchi City eventually decided to ask a lighting designer to design a sculpture-like light monument. With this new monument, we placed emphasis on a sense of transparency by using clear glass and tension truss not to have it look heavy and bulky. Lighting was designed on the concept of "light flooding from inside." By lighting the structure, soft indirect light illuminates both the stairwell and the square. The light sources used are 12V 75W clear halogen lamps and 12V 50W blue and red color dichroic halogen lamps. The direct light over the bright silver finish of the steel frame, the tension truss and the stainless wire reflects off the glass surface producing a feeling of infinity. It informs people of time by gradually changing its color from blue to red every hour. As the night wears on, the brightness of the light slowly diminishes until it is turned off at midnight.
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