{"id":550,"date":"2024-06-04T01:02:53","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T16:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lighting.co.jp\/?post_type=activities&p=550"},"modified":"2024-06-04T01:04:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T16:04:01","slug":"lighting-design-project-for-reviving-from-disasters","status":"publish","type":"activities","link":"https:\/\/www.lighting.co.jp\/en\/activities\/lighting-design-project-for-reviving-from-disasters\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting Design Project for Reviving from Disasters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outline<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

After the great earthquake and tsunami hit eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, as a group of lighting professionals, we wondered what kind of support we could offer the affected areas. \u00a0This led us to start of The Earthquake Disaster Relief and Support Project.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After the disaster hit, in many areas lights-out + energy-saving campaigns went into effect creating darkened cities. \u00a0We surveyed this situation in the first part of the project, \u201cThe Setsuden Lighting Environment Survey.\u201d \u00a0The second part included an internal, office-wide competition, \u201cLighting Design in Times of Disaster.\u201d In the next stage of the project, our objective was to be directly helpful to the affected areas by implementing lighting workshops and the Akari Caf\u00e9. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of these activities are 100% non-profit, voluntary based, and supported by volunteer groups which enables us to continue with this project each year. \u00a0Our quest is that these activities not only help with disaster recovery in affected areas now but also provide insight into how lighting design can be helpful when a new disaster hits.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2016<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It has been 5 years since the start of the disaster relief project and last year marked a new turn in our project activities. \u00a0 We underwent a hearing survey concerning the lighting environment and other lighting issues around the time of the earthquake of those individuals affected in the disaster-stricken area of Kesennuma, Miyagi. \u00a0Learning and knowing about the lighting conditions during times of disaster is one way to attain hints in preparing for the next disaster, physically and mentally. \u00a0When the results of our study are accumulated we plan to make the knowledge public. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

With the help of local residents, the Akari Caf\u00e9 reopened in the Koizumi area of Kesennuma. (The first visit was in July 2012.) \u00a0The Akari Caf\u00e9 is just one small part of the community revival process and an opportunity to witness the beginnings of a community-wheeled project.
\nIn 2015 the first akari event was held in conjunction with Kesennuma-Yokocho, an area of temporary food stall vendors set up to re-establish local economic activity, and in 2016 we went back for a final Christmas event. The children made ornaments to decorate the previously constructed Yokocho lantern tower and in the plaza nightscapes from all over the world were projected onto a screen. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Koizumi Akari Caf\u00e9 August 14, 2016
\nAkari Christmas December 3, 2016<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Co-sponsor: Toki Corporation, Luci Pte. Ltd., Shonan Co., Ltd., others
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

2015<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Through connections from a member of APCAS, a local NPO group working in the Motoyoshi-<\/span><\/span>cho<\/span><\/span> area of Kesennuma in 2012, LPA teamed-up with Kesennuma Yokocho, <\/span>an area<\/span> of temporary food stall vendors <\/span><\/span>setup<\/span><\/span> to re-establish local economic activity. \u00a0Because of <\/span><\/span>regrading<\/span><\/span> construction, the food stalls will be closing in October 2016. \u00a0Now in the fourth year of this project, the Akari Caf\u00e9 was expanded into an Akari Party to rally the area for their last year of business. \u00a0For this winter event, the Akari Caf\u00e9 kit was updated and outfitted with a specially-designed luminous kotatsu, a Japanese-style table with a <\/span><\/span>built in<\/span><\/span> heater which radiates warmth and in this case, light. \u00a0Also, at the workshop, children created colorful lantern covers to be used along with the permanent lighting and <\/span><\/span>a drawing<\/span><\/span> board for children was set up. \u00a0The design theme was an Ocean Christmas and more than 40 children attended the festive workshop, more than any past events! \u00a0In spite of rain on the day of the event, the children`s lanterns decorated Yokocho throughout the last year of business at the food stalls.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Akari Party: November 14, 2015
\nCo-sponsor: Kawakami Sangyo Co., Ltd. Toki Corporation, Luci Pte. Ltd., Color Kinetics Japan, Shonan Co., Ltd., others
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

2014<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now in the third year of this project, we reused the mobile Akari Caf\u00e9 kit, designed and put together the year before, at two events in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Pref. \u00a0The first event was held in August for residents living in the temporary housing blocks. \u00a0At the local community center, we held a simple lecture on lighting and then crafted lanterns that could also be used in the temporary housing. \u00a0The Akari Caf\u00e9 was then transformed into a place to talk more freely with the residents and for them to experience different types of light. \u00a0This 4-part event was even attended by some of the elderly residents. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In September, we held a children\u2019s lantern making workshop in conjunction with the Akari Cinema, an alfresco movie event by Okada Theatre at the Ishinomori Comic Book Center. \u00a0The lanterns were made from the same plastic material as the Akari Caf\u00e9 chairs and were lined up to make a track of light.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Akari\"Akari\"Akari
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\n<\/span>Akari Cinema and Track of Light: \u00a0September 20, 2014\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2013 marked the second year of our involvement in the recovery effort of the Eastern Japan Earthquake of 2011. \u00a0The 2013 project, Akari Cinema, was centered in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture near Sendai, on the site of a local cultural icon, Okada Theatre, and in the surrounding park, both badly damaged in the disaster. \u00a0In continued cooperation with APCAS, a local NPO, and Prof. Sakada`s Design Studio of Kyoto Institute of Technology, LPA created a lighting installation to commemorate the damaged theatre and other lighting items to facilitate a fun environment for the outdoor cinema, all based on previously design Akari Caf\u00e9 lighting items. \u00a0Even though it was a cool night, about 150 people were in attendance and the event was also covered in the local newspaper. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Co-sponsor: Kawakami Sangyo Co., Shonan Co., Ltd., others
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

2012<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 needs for local residents gradually shifted from safety issues and
\nThe LPA Earthquake Disaster Relief Lighting Projectsecuring<\/span><\/p>\n

housing<\/span> to regaining quality of life. \u00a0Challenges included <\/span>reestablishing<\/span> a local community and trying to make life in the temporary housing as comfortable and fun as possible for what could continue as a prolonged situation. \u00a0Most of the programs set up to reestablish community in the affected areas were held during the day, which proved difficult to create new interaction. \u00a0We wanted to create a program that would access different age groups and social circles unlike before and be that something to generate activity inside and outside the community. \u00a0In 2012 we stated the \u201cAkari Caf\u00e9\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Akari Caf\u00e9 is a mobile caf\u00e9 program with luminous items
\nAkari Caf\u00e9<\/span>travels<\/span> to temporary housing communities or local community centers. \u00a0All of the lanterns, chairs <\/span>and<\/span> tables used by the Akari Caf\u00e9 are included in this portable kit. \u00a0During the day a children`s lighting workshop is set up for local children and at night the Akari Caf\u00e9 is a gathering place. \u00a0 This 2-part program is open for everyone and aims to promote interaction from inside and outside the local community. \u00a0At dusk, children parade around the caf\u00e9 with the luminous items create at the workshop, shadow play, or just run about, while the adults relax under <\/span>soft<\/span> light of the caf\u00e9 and enjoy summer nights.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yamada Daimyo Ground Housing:July 21, 2012
\nTsuya Ohzawa Area Recovery Center: \u00a0August 14, 2012
\nMagome ForestryCenter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 : \u00a0August 15, 2012
\nCo-sponsor: Kawakami Sangyo Co., Tanaka Pater Tube Co., Ltd., Specio, Endo Lighting Corp., Panasonic, Ishikawa Electrics, Kameyama Candle House, others<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Akari Caf\u00e9
\n<\/span>\u00a0\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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