Gold Trade Show Architecture, Interiors, and Exhibit Design · 2023
Red Wave Entrance
by Maiko Mochizuki and Rei Nishitani
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Trade Show Architecture, Interiors, and Exhibit Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Murayama Inc
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 443,433
- Verification code 2AFE3C0639 · Verify this award
About Red Wave Entrance
Red Wave was installed as the entrance structure for the International Graphic Arts Show 2022. It means the rich red made possible by technology and the movement of the heart that is moved by it. The energetic red color and fluid form symbolized an enthusiastic exhibition with active business negotiations, not fearing the stagnant conditions caused by the Covid. Red Wave was also used as a design concept for the special exhibition area, guidance signs, online contents, etc. within the venue, giving it a sense of unity to reduce visitors' stress of moving around.
Red Wave Entrance by MURAYAMA INC. represents a distinguished achievement in contemporary exhibition architecture, demonstrating how threshold design can transcend mere functional passage to become a memorable experiential moment that establishes atmospheric expectations for the exhibition beyond. The installation draws upon traditions of ceremonial entrance architecture while deploying a thoroughly contemporary material and chromatic vocabulary, creating a dialogue between the processional formality of traditional gateway structures and the bold graphic sensibilities of modern visual communication. The designers have achieved remarkable compositional unity through the strategic limitation of their palette to variations of red accented by white structural elements, a decision that creates immediate visual impact while maintaining sophisticated restraint through geometric precision. The diagonal structural members, arranged in carefully calibrated rhythmic intervals, suggest multiple interpretive readings: waves in motion, sails filled with forward momentum, or abstract geometric progression, each reading reinforcing the transitional nature of the threshold experience. Technical accomplishment is evident in the seamless integration of illumination within the fabric architecture, the uplighting creating luminous effects that animate the textile surfaces and establish a warm, inviting atmosphere despite the monumental scale. The floor treatment demonstrates thoughtful consideration of the complete environmental experience, extending the chromatic program into the horizontal plane while introducing geometric variation that guides movement and defines spatial zones. The elevated horizontal beam functions simultaneously as structural element, signage carrier, and visual anchor, its strong horizontal emphasis creating a sense of shelter while maintaining visual permeability to the space beyond. This work invites consideration of how entrance architecture shapes our anticipatory experience of events, and how bold chromatic commitment combined with precise geometric order can create spaces that feel simultaneously welcoming and remarkable.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Red Wave was installed as the entrance structure for International Graphic Arts Show 2022, a comprehensive international exhibition for the printing and related industries. The design combines the beauty of an artwork with the functionality of an entrance gate. The energetic red color and fluid form symbolize the exhibition, which is full of enthusiasm with active business negotiations, not fearing the stagnant conditions caused by the Covid.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 27700mm x Depth 8440mm x Height 4000mm
- Tags
- Entrance, Gate, Registration, Exhibition, Printing industry, Red, Wave
- Production Technology
- We used a wrinkle-free fabric for striped molding which allows the graphic design to show through on both sides even printed on one side. The red colors are all slightly different and the lighting effects provide further color variation and movement. For the foundation of the molding, we used leased system products. The fabric served not only as decoration but also as a fixation for the foundation, minimizing the number of columns. This combines beauty with reduced environmental impact.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was how to define the presence of this entrance. What we imagined from the exhibition theme, "Venture into the innovation!" was that IGAS, where people's adventurous spirit intersects, is like an ocean, where visitors pass through great waves. Finally, through repeated trial and error in design, the dynamic and organically beautiful entrance design was produced by its combination of straight and curved lines.
- Project Duration
- Installed at Tokyo Big Sight for 5 days from November 24 to November 28, 2022
- Operation Flow
- Red Wave had a special presence because it was installed on the main street of Tokyo Big Sight, the venue for this show. Red Wave was used not only as the name of the entrance, but also as a design concept for the special exhibition area, guidance signs, online contents, etc. within the venue, giving it a sense of unity. This reduces visitors' stress of moving around.
- Research
- We researched and examined the design of the International Graphic Arts Show 2022 to preserve its brand. The annual entrance to the exhibition has a unique air about it, somehow unchanging despite its changing form. We focused our research on creating a continuous structure like the architecture of the Tokyo Big Sight: the venue of this event, and on integrating the conflicting shapes of straight and curved lines into a single form.
- Inspiration
- IGAS is a showcase of the rich colors created by advanced printing technology, and we felt that we should visualize this beautiful and functional aspect of it. "Red Wave" means the "rich red" made possible by technology and the "movement of our heart" that is moved by it. In the simple form of a series of straight lines, the entrance gate functionally expresses that it is a gateway to emotion by using a precise gradation of colors to create the brightest red in the center of the passageway.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer / Kudo Original Photo.Co,.Ltd, Red Wave, 2022.
Image #2: Photographer / Kudo Original Photo.Co,.Ltd, Red Wave, 2022.
Image #3: Photographer / Kudo Original Photo.Co,.Ltd, Red Wave, 2022.
Image #4: Photographer / Kudo Original Photo.Co,.Ltd, Red Wave, 2022.
Image #5: Photographer / Kudo Original Photo.Co,.Ltd, Red Wave, 2022.
Colors of Red Wave Entrance
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G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about Red Wave Entrance
IGAS (International Graphic Arts Show) has always had a beautiful design for venue decoration. My challenge was to carry on the design of previous generations.
We researched and examined the design of the International Graphic Arts Show 2022 to preserve its brand. The annual entrance to the exhibition has a unique air about it, somehow unchanging despite its changing form. We focused our research on creating a continuous structure like the architecture of the Tokyo Big Sight: the venue of this event, and on integrating the conflicting shapes of straight and curved lines into a single form.
We want to connect the baton to the creation of better venues. We want to reaffirm the importance of exhibitions by making full use of both real and virtual spaces.
The design work for this exhibition took approximately one and a half years.
At IGAS2015, there was a red world as sharp, clear, and transparent as crystal, created by overlapping layers of ink, but at IGAS2022, the layers of ink become a dynamic wave that welcomes and impresses visitors. This is how IGAS will protect its brand image.
The design needed to symbolize the enthusiasm of the exhibition, where lively business negotiations take place, without fear of stagnation caused by the Covid. The energetic red color and fluid form make it a reality.
The design of this entrance is very simple, with straight lines at different angles, equally spaced. Japanese minimalism may exist in me.
People in the printing industry.
The fluid design facilitates the flow of people, reducing the stress of moving through crowded spaces and providing healing through beauty.
What we imagined from the exhibition theme, "Venture into the innovation!" was that IGAS, where people's adventurous spirit intersects, is like an ocean, where visitors pass through great waves.
Vectorworks and Adobe Creative Cloud
The point is that 2 conflicting elements coexist. The design of the entrance, combining straight and curved lines, gives the venue a dynamic and organic presence. I believe it is the power of design that can connect dissimilar things.
We worked with people with specialized skills to complete all venue decorations. Such a design could never have been created by one person alone.
We used a wrinkle-free fabric for striped molding which allows the graphic design to show through on both sides even printed on one side. The red colors are all slightly different and the lighting effects provide further color variation and movement. For the foundation of the molding, we used leased system products. The fabric served not only as decoration but also as a fixation for the foundation, minimizing the number of columns. This combines beauty with reduced environmental impact.
We would like more people to know about this design.
I learned a lot about technical skills as a designer, communication with team members, project promotion, and exhibition branding.
MURAYAMA INC. is a team of professionals who create spaces and communications. Its services include planning, design, supervision, production, and construction of displays for promotion, branding, public relations, cultural / public projects, and entertainment. The creators' policy is to create unique spaces, weave unforgettable stories, and provide novel inspiration. Feeling inspired by the ever-changing world around them, they create novel experiences to inspire others. This has been their policy for 120 years. With finely honed skills and creative points of view, they seek to inspire in new and unique ways.