Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーション by Takanao Todo

Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーション by Takanao Todo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銀賞 in 照明プロジェクト・ライトアートデザイン Competition Category.

銀照明プロジェクト· 2025

Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーション

by Takanao Todo

Client: Takanao Todo Design

A' Design Award 銀賞 Winner in 照明プロジェクト Category

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The Design

About Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーション

プリズムガラスの壁面は、バンコクを代表する景観であるチャオプラヤ川の都市パノラマを反射・屈折させる。サンドブラスト仕上げのステンレススチールに支持された300枚のガラスプリズムで構成された本構造は、プリズム光により独自の視点を提供する。構造内に追加照明を使用しないことで、エネルギー消費を最小限に抑えるだけでなく、現代都市における光害への批評としても機能する。本インスタレーションは、容易な組立システムにより、アジア全域で展示されており、ライトアート・インスタレーションの無限の可能性を証明している。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀賞

Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーションは、見事で印象的なハイエンドのデザインに授与される、非常に権威ある評価である A' Design Award 銀賞の受賞作品です。銀賞の受賞作品は、きわめて輝かしく創造性に富んだ作品であり、デザイナーの傑出した専門知識、才能、洞察力を示しています。Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーションは、素晴らしい代表作であり、驚くほどプロフェッショナルで、深く革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銀賞を受賞したデザインは、非常に注目すべき称賛される発明であり、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術の境界に寄与し、それを前進させます。Through the Looking Prism ライトアート・インスタレーションは、多くの人に羨まれる創造物であり、欲求を呼び覚まし、前向きな感情をもたらし、驚きと感嘆を灯します。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Prism glass reflect and refract unique urban panorama of Bangkok offering alternative perspective with its prism light. The absence of additional lighting not only minimizes energy consumption but also serves as a poignant critique of light pollution prevalent in modern urban settings. The installation is a testament to the boundless possibilities of light art installation.
Dimensions & Packaging: Stainless Steel with sand blast finish, 150mm x 20mm x 20mm glass prism, Width 2000mm Depth 200mm x Height 1900mm
Tags: Prism, Light, Refraction, Chao Phraya River, Installation, Bangkok, Reflection, Glass Prism
Production Technology: This installation consists of 300 pieces of glass prisms supported by a sandblast-finished stainless steel frame. Each glass prism follows the large-size commercial glass prism, 30mm x 30mm X 150mm. They are fixed to the frame with a wedge supported with an adhesive connection. The height of the frame is 1900 mm in height and 2000mm in width, which is portable by the truck, and able to be carried and assembled by the labor. Self-weight helps to stabilize the installation, which is resistant to the wind.
Design Challenge: The first prototype was made with adhesive connection, which made it difficult to relocate the structure. The detail developed to become mechanical connection, made it easier to replace the glass prism when needed. And this solves the issue about maintenance for cleaning as it is easier to clean while removing glass pieces.

One of the challenge was to meet the cost of the glass prism. It was impossible to make custom made piece to fit within a reasonable range of the budget. Mass-produced glass prism for scientific experimentation was used for the construction.

Glass prism had several cracks with the direct sunlight exposure. Higher spec glass prism stood well on an exterior condition, thus the spec of the glass prevents from damage.

Both natural and artificial light phenomena changes drastically between day and night. It was a sensitive work to capture all kinds of light effect produced from the structure.
Research: This design research project examines the optical performance of the glass prism. This research commenced by investigating experimental works using prism as a material to manipulate optical phenomena, light refraction and reflection. Although glass is a building material that offers transparency in architectural design, prism glass hardly ever became a common type of glass due to its unorthodox form. The research stems from earlier investigations and designs using prism materials, aiming to exploit their unique optical effects while making construction methods more affordable and practical. Bangkok Design Week 2024, “Through the Looking Prism” with dimension of 1.9 m x 1.8 m, demonstrates various effects produced through the prismatic wall made of 300 pieces of prism glass. The location of the installation is located at the viewing platform towards Chao Phraya River, where there is constant movement of water surface and boats, with uninterrupted view allowing sunlight to hit. The structure is designed to maximize the viewing experience of the observer. There were observed sunlight refraction at different times of the day, artificial light refraction at nighttime, observed prismatic light with a spectrum of light at certain times of the day, and shifts from refraction to reflection at different angles.
Inspiration: Rejecting the conventional use of additional lighting sources, while showcase the transformative power of light in shaping the urban landscape, both in day and night. The heart of this installation is a window adorned with a glass prism wall, meticulously designed to capture and refract the myriad hues of Bangkok's nocturnal charm. Situated along the iconic Chao Phraya River, the structure offers a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, capturing the essence of the city's vibrant energy.
Project Duration: The project displayed as a part of the Bangkok Design Week in Jan 2024 in Rajinee Pier in Bangkok, and relocated to the Pahurat Flower Market.
Operation Flow: It is a stand alone structure. At the different time of the day, both natural and artificial light get reflect and refracted through the glass prisms. The structure was placed carefully to cover typical panorama of the Chao Phraya River where represents Bangkok well. Minimizing the artificial light within the site to maximize the incoming light from the other side of the river. Height of the structure made from 2000mm to 1900mm to accommodate average audience eye height.
Patents: n.a.
Team Members: Designer: Takanao Todo
Image Credits: Swita Uancharoenkul