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Life Science Code Monumen by Takumi Takahashi

Life Science Code Monumen by Takumi Takahashi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Platina in Seni Rupa Competition Category.


PlatinaSeni Rupa· 2025

Life Science Code Monumen

by Takumi Takahashi

Client: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award Platina Winner in Seni Rupa Category

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The Design

About Life Science Code Monumen

Monumen ko mangungkapkan ingatan Ilmu Kahidupan badasarkan urutan genom DNA, nan jadi dasar Ilmu Kahidupan. Genom adolah ingatan kahidupan dari mulo-mulanyo hinggo kini, dan monumen ko mamasuakkan objek-objek alam nan lah mambasuah urang, sarta karajinan tangan nan turun-tamurun di Japang, sabagai jajak kahidupan. Masinggung asal-usua nan lah dikumpuakan urang, monumen ko mawujudkan rahasia ilmu kahidupan nan tasingkap malalui ingatan manusia.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Platina

Life Science Code Monumen adolah pamenang A' Design Award Platina, sabuah pangakuan nan sangaik bapresti nan dibarikan ka rancangan nan batua-batua luar biaso, elegan jo hebat. Pamenang Platina adolah kaajaiban ciptaan, bukti batas kreativitas pikiran jo mamparlihatkan profesionalisme sarato kajeniusan nan indak ado tandiangan dari parancangnyo. Rancangan iko dipaokan manjadi karya nan paliang tanamo nan mandefinisikan estetika sabuah jaman, mambari sumbangan ka kasajahteraan masyarakaik jo maluaskan batas seni, ilimu, rancangan jo teknologi. Life Science Code Monumen mamparlihatkan tingkaik karancakan nan malampaui biaso jo manjadikan dunia tampek nan labiah elok jo ciri-cirinyo nan babuek manfaat. Life Science Code Monumen adolah karya nan manang A' Design Award Platina nan mambangkikkan karinduan, mambari ilham jo malahiakan kagumbiraan gadang.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
Chugai Pharmaceutical's Life Science Park commissioned a monument to convey the mysteries and unknown possibilities of life science. As life science now drives drug creation by unlocking genomic information from human DNA, the monument compiles diverse memories etched in our DNA. This includes natural materials evoking Life and materials created by human hands, representing Science, aiming to embody the essence and potential of life science.
Dimensions & Packaging
This 6m x 1.5m x 2.2m monument embodies human and Earth memories. Its design, based on the human genome sequence, integrates diverse materials: ancient stones, local flora, native trees and medicinal herbs. A transparent stone base, evoking water as the source of life, is illuminated from within, highlighting the genome's varied expressions. The DNA derived design reveals life's mystery through shifting perspectives.
Tags
monument, life science, design, Art, hakuten, memory, Life Science Code
Production Technology
This monument crystallizes memories from nature, technology, and culture, archiving them for future generations. It juxtaposes normally incompatible memories, creating a unique landscape and prompting reflection on sustainability. Wood scraps were recycled into furniture, and metal scraps were reused, embodying circularity.
Design Challenge
This monument, while not directly generating profit, aims to inspire and provide spiritual support to life science researchers. It expresses the invisible mysteries of life science, a field filled with the unexplained, where researchers strive to improve human well-being. By touching the depths of people's hearts, this monument hopes to bring color and inspiration to their work, supporting their challenge against the mysterious world of life science.
Research
We were deeply moved to realize that our own DNA contains the inherited memories of the earth. Therefore, we carefully investigated various memories up to now, and collected a wide variety of memories, including natural objects created over a long period of time, human culture and technology, and memories of Chugai's pharmaceuticals.
Inspiration
Chugai's Life Science Park commissioned a monument to convey life science's profound mysteries. The design, mirroring drug creation through genome analysis, uses human genome sequences. The resulting patterns evoke life's beauty and complexity, encoding evolution and human essence. Integrating time-nurtured memories, the monument embodies life's enigmatic mystery. It stands as a testament to the intricate and beautiful nature of life, revealed through the very code that defines us.
Project Duration
This project was completed in May 2024
It is located at Chugai's new research facility in Totsuka, Kanagawa, Japan.
Operation Flow
Researchers viewing this monument can draw inspiration from its unique landscape, filled with memories from nature, technology, and culture. Viewers' reflections become part of the monument, symbolizing the present moment alongside diverse memories. It aims to convey that genomes exist within us, hinting at unknown possibilities.
Team Members
Design:Takumi Takahashi, HAKUTEN
Structural design : Naoki Iwama, Iwama Design
Metal hardware design and production : Kenichi Ochiai, Ochiai Seisakusho
Creative direction for the forest : Chikako Kadoi, Bears Dance in the Hida Forest
Product Management : Kumazaki Kohei, HAKUTEN
Produce : Masako Takahama, HAKUTEN
Image Credits
Photo by :Nacasa & Partners Inc. | Akira Arai

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