Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung by Shuhei Matsuyama

Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung by Shuhei Matsuyama is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award in Silber in Kulturerbedesign Competition Category.

SilberKulturerbe· 2026

Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung

by Shuhei Matsuyama

Client: enigma Inc.

A' Design Award in Silber Winner in Kulturerbe Category

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Verified Award Winner
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Colors

The Design

About Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung

Transition ist eine Ausstellung über Ikebana, die japanische Kunst des Blumenarrangements, die auf eine 1.400-jährige Geschichte zurückblickt. Der offene Grundriss verzichtet auf eine Rückwand, sodass sich die Besucher frei bewegen und jedes Arrangement aus vielen Blickwinkeln betrachten können – und nicht nur von vorn. Tageslicht und reaktive LED-Beleuchtung verändern sich im Tagesverlauf, wodurch sich der Raum und die lebenden Blumen fortwährend wandeln. Die Sockel werden im 3D-Druckverfahren aus recycelbarem Harz gefertigt und lassen sich zerlegen, versetzen und wiederverwenden. Der ebene, barrierefreie Boden ermöglicht allen Besuchern einen mühelosen Zugang.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Silber

Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Silber, einer enorm prestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für erstklassige, großartige und beeindruckende Spitzendesigns. Silber-Gewinner sind ungemein brillante und äußerst kreative Werke, die die herausragende Expertise, das Talent und den Scharfsinn ihrer Designer veranschaulichen. Von Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung wird erwartet, dass es ein wunderbares Vorzeigewerk ist, das bemerkenswert professionell und zutiefst innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Silber prämierte Design ist eine höchst bemerkenswerte, bewunderte Erfindung, die den Grenzen von Kunst, Wissenschaft, Design und Technologie zugutekommt und sie voranbringt. Transition Ausstellungsgestaltung ist eine vielbeneidete Schöpfung, die Wünsche weckt, positive Gefühle vermittelt und Staunen und Verwunderung entfacht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: An immersive flower exhibition engaging all five senses, tracing 1,400 years of ikebana and the kado philosophy of the life of flowers. Fresh floral works, shifting sunlight, and responsive lighting continuously transform both space and experience. A wall-less, open configuration overturns traditional frontal ikebana viewing, inviting active participation and enabling unrepeatable, time-based engagement with floral art.
Dimensions & Packaging: Exhibition area: approx. 300 sqm.
Monitor fixtures: 1965 mm Width x 470 mm Depth x 1195 mm Height.
Large stage: 3000 mm Width x 4200 mm Depth x 300 mm Height.
130-size modular lighting pedestals in 3 types: A: 400 mm Width x 400 mm Depth, B: 500 mm Width x 500 mm Depth, C: 800 mm Width x 800 mm Depth.
All components are designed for disassembly, reuse, and full barrier-free accessibility.
Tags: Ikebana, Exhibition Design, Floral Art, Japanese Culture, Immersive Experience, Sustainable Design, Inclusive Design, Expo 2025, Contemporary Art, Spatial Design
Production Technology: The exhibition structure was realized using recyclable resin-based 3D-printed pedestals, minimizing waste and enabling modular reuse for future installations. The lighting design incorporated responsive LED systems to simulate natural transitions. Spatial modeling and daylight simulation were conducted using Unreal Engine to test sun paths and visual conditions, allowing for precise environmental calibration. Materials include wood, recycled steel, and living floral elements.
Design Challenge: Traditional ikebana shows erected one-off timber walls and fixtures, then scrapped them. We challenged that legacy, adopting a reusable system that slashes physical build. Pedestals are 3-D-printed from recyclable resin, designed for quick disassembly, transport, and redeployment, cutting material use and waste. With level floors and wide clearances, the fully barrier-free layout marries sustainability to inclusive design.
Research: In this show we discarded the rear wall once mandatory for classical ikebana and used self-standing fixtures, letting visitors wander freely. Single-use timber walls became reusable, 3-D-printed units of recycled resin, proving ikebana can travel to sites once impossible. Surveys showed 90 % of attendees were first-time ikebana viewers, revealing new audiences. Energized by this success, we are already planning the next “new-generation” flower exhibition.
Inspiration: Ikebana is a centuries-old tradition that unites time-based and spatial art. To honor this duality, we removed the rear wall once deemed essential, shaping a fluid gallery where changing daylight, responsive lighting, and living flowers mingle in shifting layers. Visitors roam freely, viewing each arrangement from many angles while bespoke Unreal-Engine simulations refined sun paths and sightless, letting space and work animate each other.
Project Duration: The project started on April 13, 2025, and concluded on April 20, 2025. It was exhibited at the “Gallery EAST” of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Operation Flow: Visitors freely move through the open, wall-less gallery, exploring ikebana arrangements from multiple angles. Natural and dynamic lighting interact with fresh flowers, creating constantly shifting scenes. This spatial and sensory engagement encourages personal interpretation, breaking from the static, front-facing norms of classical ikebana.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Ikenobo Society of Floral Art, 2025.
Team Members: Creative Director / Art Director / Planner: Shuhei Matsuyama
Technical Director / Engineer: Koki Kaminoura
Project Director: Kenji Suina
Spatial Design Director: Kazuhiro Itagaki
Designer (130): Daina Kato
Engineer (130): Kenta Iguchi
Promotion Director: Satomi Tamai
Research Director: Tsubasa Kuri
Researcher: Tomoya Shimojo
Promotion Planner: Mako Fujimoto
Image Credits: Image #1-#5: Photographer Kamiya Ryo、Transition: The Origin of Ikebana、 2025.
Video Credits: Videographer Mizuno Kai、 Transition: The Origin of Ikebana、 2025.