Projects
Urbanscape Lighting Feature Lighting
Kuramae Bridge IlluminationsTaito Ward, Sumida Ward, Tokyo
Illuminating the bridges of the Sumida River, adorning the waterfront scenery with an enchanting palette
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Seasonal arrangement: Weekends during spring and fall.
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Seasonal arrangement: Weekdays during spring and fall.
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Seasonal arrangement: Holidays during spring and fall.
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Seasonal arrangement: Holidays during the winter.
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Daytime view of the Kuramae Bridge.
about
- Lighting design
- Motoko Ishii Lighting Design Inc.
Installation date
June, 2019(start of illumination : August, 2019)
Envisioning a cityscape to inspire many, the City of Tokyo is working on projects to add polish to the nightscape and further accentuate the charms of the city. With a view to stimulating activity, enhancing the atmosphere around its riverside areas, and also heightening its appeal as a tourist attraction, the lighting installations of the bridges spanning the Sumida River which are managed and maintained by the City of Tokyo, have benefited from new installations in some locations and major renovations in others. Featuring new installations on 6 bridges, renovation and upgrade works on 4 bridges, and 2 bridges with previously completed installations, the overall scheme embellishes the nightscape of the Sumida River through illuminations across a total of 12 bridges. With the river-facing sides of the arches on each bridge being equipped with bespoke, color-changing railing luminaires, now the 10 bridges where the most recent works have taken place not only offer improved standard illuminations, but also the capacity to present a coordinated and synchronized lighting display.
Replaced during the reconstruction process which followed the Great Kanto Earthquake*, Kuramae Bridge features 3 adjacent arches. In addition to highlighting the 3 arches which are said to conjure the imagery of an ear of rice, uplighting installations from beneath the arches of the bridge pier accentuate its intricate construction materials, including supports, lumber, and its horizontal structure, giving them depth of dimension. With the layered texture of the light from the bridge being reflected on the water to create a golden, rippling effect, one could find themselves feeling as though transported to a bustling nightscape from the Edo* era.
*Great Kanto Earthquake: September 1923
*Edo Period: Japan, 1603 - 1868
Specification
Bespoke luminaires for indirect lighting of arches - 220
Bespoke floodlights for illumination of support girders - 108
Bespoke luminaires for indirect lighting of upper railings - 140
Bespoke pier lights - 4pcs
Bespoke lights for bridge plaques - 4
Bespoke LED lamps for street and area lighting - 28
Project summary
