March 2006 saw the colorful opening of Cocone Kamifukuoka, a multi-use complex in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Located north of Tokyo and situated directly in front of Kamifukuoka train station, Cocone Kamifukuoka offers a variety of services such as rental housing, shopping and medical facilities. Operated by the Urban Renaissance Agency, the complex’s convenience and friendly atmosphere is already proving quite popular with locals. A new, dynamic façade illumination has added to the area’s appeal.

The shopping center’s façade, a five story construction that houses a large parking garage, features a color changing illumination from 11 Martin Architectural Exterior 200 Long Barrel color changing luminaires. The IP 65 rated fixtures, mounted with 12 degree lenses and spaced equally atop the structure, focus a narrow beam of seasonal shades vertically across the metal surface of the building, creating a captivating effect that livens up the entire area. The dynamic color changing solution was supplied by Martin Professional Japan.

The lighting scheme was designed by Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc. and features a selection of LightJockey programmed scenes that change monthly. Color changes (as short as every 0.1 seconds) communicate an original yet subtle story as neighbors and visitors alike experience a taste of the current season through the Martin fixtures.

Each lighting scene begins with a color changing sequence followed by a static color display for the first 15 minutes. Next comes a sequence that emulates train movement and finally static color is again displayed to complete another 15 minutes. One scene lasts 30 minutes, and although the concept remains the same for all scenes, colors may change according to the time of year. For instance, a combination of red and white stripes welcomes the New Year in January when color changes race up and down the façade. In June, a rain and thunder effect increases in intensity followed by a multi-colored rainbow. In October, autumn leaves blow away, and in December a Christmas tree, together with shooting stars, welcome Santa Claus.