Share this page:

Takarazuka University Of Art And Design

Satellite Building, Osaka, Japan

Japan's prestigious Takarazuka University of Art and Design was founded in 1987 to facilitate traditional art and design education while encouraging new opportunities made possible by on-going technological innovation. The University seeks to foster creativity in various fields of study, provide students with professional art and design expertise, and make a lasting contribution to the industry and society at large. To help support this mission, the University unveiled a new satellite facility in Osaka in the spring of 2002, housing the University's Division of Continuing Education. To best symbolize its focus on the marriage of traditional art and modern innovation, the approximately 200-foot high building makes use of the latest advancements in intelligent LED illumination from Color Kinetics Japan to distinguish its presence against the Osaka city skyline.

Designed by internationally renowned artist James Turrell, who explores the use of light and space to create extraordinary works of art, the building's illuminated façade is awash with color and movement. Turrell implemented a design that incorporates four ethereal lighting effects to highlight and animate the façade. Applying rich displays of red, green, blue, yellow, and white light, the cycle of effects begins with one, uniform color. The color then gradually changes from one to another in a series of intricate patterns: rising from the building's bottom to the top, unfolding from left to right, and slowly diffusing outward from the building's center. To achieve this performance with a high degree of control, 174 ColorBlast® systems and nearly 1500 linear feet of iColor® Cove were installed to generate the desired blend of colors and effects without the efficiency and installation constraints of traditional lighting fixtures.

The building's illuminated sign also takes advantage of iColor Cove to complement the vivid façade and capture the attention of passersby. The lighting of both the sign and façade is programmed and controlled using a combination of Color Kinetics' iPlayer® 2 for storage and playback and a DMX controller.

Thanks to the progress of LED technology and the complete, integrated nature of Color Kinetics systems, the building's lighting design was free of creative and technical limitations. The result is a modern work of art that attracts both locals and tourists alike with its unique use of light in motion.