Tokumitsu Taanto
Public Restroom for Life Housing Co., Ltd.,
This project incorporates Kanazawa gold leaf, a traditional craft, into spatial design, blending historical techniques with a refined aesthetic. The Golden Restroom features over 3,000 gold leaf tiles arranged against a dark backdrop, with carefully designed lighting that accentuates their glow. By utilizing a Unesco listed technique, the design reflects the dialogue between Japanese heritage and present day craftsmanship, offering a space where tradition is thoughtfully expressed. The interplay of materials and light enhances the atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience the artistry.
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Tokumitsu Taanto by Nobuaki Miyashita
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Public Restroom by Nobuaki Miyashita
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Nobuaki Miyashita Tokumitsu Taanto
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Nobuaki Miyashita Public Restroom
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Life Housing Co Ltd Brand Logo
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Unique Properties
The Golden Restroom at Hakusan Gateway Tokumitsu TaanTo is a one-of-a-kind interior space featuring Kanazawa gold leaf, a traditional Japanese craft. Over 3,000 gold leaf tiles adorn the walls, shifting in appearance with changing light. Set against a dark backdrop, indirect lighting accentuates the golden glow, creating a surreal experience akin to a luminous chamber floating in space.
Tags
interior design, gold leaf, luxury restroom, Kanazawa, cultural heritage, immersive experience
Production Technology
The gold leaf tiles are crafted using the UNESCO-listed Hand-Applied Gold Leaf technique. Each 200mm square porcelain tile features textured surfaces enhanced by meticulously applied gold leaf, creating depth and richness. The lighting design is strategically planned to maximize gold’s reflective qualities, enveloping the space in a serene, ethereal glow.
Design Challenge
The greatest challenge was crafting a space that maximizes the texture of gold leaf while maintaining a refined and immersive ambiance. Detailed studies of light angles and reflectivity were conducted to create a lighting design that showcases gold at its most mesmerizing.
Project Duration
The project is located in Hakusan, Ishikawa, Japan, and was completed in April 2021.
Operation Flow
The restroom offers visitors an immersive experience enveloped in golden radiance. Indirect lighting dynamically alters the expression of the gold leaf, transforming the space into a living artwork of light and shadow. Users feel as if they have stepped into an art installation, elevating a routine activity into an extraordinary encounter.
Research
English: Type of Research: Interior design study Objective: Exploring the potential of traditional craftsmanship in spatial design Methodology: Analysis of gold leaf’s light reflection properties, lighting simulations Data Collection: Reflectivity measurements, visitor sensory evaluations Results: Creation of an immersive design using gold leaf Impact: Introducing new applications for Japanese traditional crafts
Inspiration
English: The core inspiration of this project is to transform the beauty of Kanazawa gold leaf, a symbol of Kaga culture, into a contemporary spatial experience. The golden enclosure is designed to immerse visitors in the profound artistry of traditional craftsmanship. The interplay of gold's sheen and shadows evolves with time, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Image Credits
Image #1,#2,#3,#4,#5: Photographer Nobuaki Miyashita, 2021
Project Overview
Tokumitsu Taanto Public Restroom has been a Silver winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Silver Recognition
Nobuaki Miyashita was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Tokumitsu Taanto Public Restroom.
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