Public Policy by Lighting Designers

What kind of statement should a group of lighting design professionals (IALD Japan) deliver to a society in turmoil? A panel discussion was held with lighting designer Ms. Miho Konishi as a moderator, inviting architect Mr. Yoshiyuki Kawazoe from the University of Tokyo and Mr. Kazuo Tase, president of SDG Impacts, to discuss about “What is the role of lighting designers that is expected in the era of the new normal?”

In response to Ms. Konishi’s question about “the professional duties of lighting designers that link lighting and well-being,” Mr. Kawazoe says a bad architectural design with a good lighting design does not exist. He finds it difficult to separate these two, as both the design of an envelope (box) and lighting design have a mutual relationship. He points out that the role of lighting design for well-being is to create beautiful lighting features and designs that evoke an appetite to see them. Meanwhile, Mr. Tase mentioned the history of well-being, and explained that it is important to have not only physical conditions but also an emotional sense of well-being. Referring to the University of Tokyo Library, a work by Mr. Kawazoe, he explains what is important is not only the functionality but also the meaning of the building and space, and whether the recipient of the design can have a sense of empathy or belonging to it. Those are the areas that only lighting designers can step in.

In response to the next question, “What should be addressed in terms of energy?”, Mr. Kawazoe emphasized that the impact of lighting on energy is not so high because of its advanced energy-saving technology. He says that as the world gets smarter, lighting designers should argue that they have different values to pursue, instead of following the same smart way.

To the question, “What should be addressed from the perspective of disaster and crime prevention?”, Mr. Kawazoe presented an episode from the reconstruction work he was involved in after the Great East Japan Earthquake. On a dark night, a single light from a food stall he built with designer Mr. Katsushi Nagumo and others changed people’s mood. He says that was a time he recognized the power of light. Meanwhile, drawing from his experience in humanitarian work, Mr. Tase says that the most dangerous spot is between the camp and the toilet, and the first thing to do is to set up nightlights between them. He also says that risks hide in darkness, and in turn, light is hope.

Furthermore, in response to the question “What kind of activities are necessary for high-quality lighting design?”, Mr. Kawazoe points out that discussion within the framework of the same industry is important, but also problematic if it stays within the boundary. Internal discussion and the broadly shared aesthetics, as well as two-way interactions across industrial boundaries will raise lighting design to the next level. Mr. Tase recommends the method of “thinking backwards,” by which lighting designers can set an ultimate goal and consider how to develop current technologies to get closer to it, instead of holding on to the technologies currently available.

In response to the last question, “What is the present-day role of lighting designers?”, Mr. Kawazoe says that lighting designers are “Amaterasu Omikami” (the Sun Goddess). Vision is the most prominent among the five senses. Since only light can make objects visible, we need designers who can claim, “Lighting needs to be this way, so the building should be modified accordingly.” Architects and lighting designers should collaborate with each other from the early stage of building design, and he says he is hoping that lighting designers will make more proposals that would change the shape of the building itself. Mr. Tase also adds that due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, human beings are finally beginning to seek values that would be more than just safety, security, and comfort. He concluded that it is important for lighting designers to actively offer more values that are suitable for that time, instead of “just adding something bright.”