At Milano Salone 2011, Kaneka exhibited a zone of “traditional Japanese bars” with OLED that is a next generation of light source. The spaces were illuminated primarily with red and white OLED, the traditional colors for Japanese ceremonial events.

Passing through the Japanese “noren” curtains at the entrance, visitors are welcomed by chains of lights floating in the air. At the first floor, a multitude of OLED panels are placed at various heights to form an undulating surface that covers the ceiling. This main zone describes “yozakura” that is a Japanese custom to enjoy night viewing of cherry blossoms being lighted-up. The bridge zone provides a relaxed atmosphere with paper pendant lights consist of paper shade and stacked (2 sided) OLED panels.

Organic light-emitting diode “OLED”

OLED, a next-generation of light source, provides several benefits which conventional light sources do not. Those are flat light emission, thinness and light-weight, softness of light, high efficiency of conversion, and environmental friendliness. Kaneka Corporation has been focusing on product development for design and illumination purpose of lighting, by leveraging OLED’s high degree of design freedom. We believe that the availability of 5 colors of panels (white, red, orange, blue and green) will increase the possibility of lighting design.

Kaneka Corporation solicited designs for an OLED-based lighting object for the Kaneka OLED Design Competition 2010. Among 496 works, we selected one piece for the Grand Prize through strict screening. The prize winner was awarded a cash prize of one million yen and was invited to Milano Salone, the world largest design and interior exposition, held in Milan, Italy. The prototype of the winning object has been exhibited at Kaneka Corporation’s exhibition zone at the Milano Salone venue.

 

Torafu Architects

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Founded in 2004 by Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro, TORAFU ARCHITECTS employs a working approach based on architectural thinking. Works by the duo include a diverse range of products, from architectural design to interior design for shops, exhibition space design, product design, spatial installations and film making.

 

Alain Gilles Izumi Okayasu Lighting Design

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Founded in 2007 by Izumi Okayasu. Representative works include “White Chapel” with Jun Aoki Architectural Office “Afloat” with Yuko Nagayama Associates “Jin’s Global Standard Nagareyama” with Ryuji Nakamura Architects Co., Ltd.