Project Info
Project Name: Kawara
Designer: Yusuke Kawai
Collection: Kawara Lighting for Pedrali
Japanese designer Yusuke Kawai introduces the Kawara lighting collection for Pedrali with a vision that transforms traditional Japanese roof tile forms into a sculptural and highly adaptable lighting system. The work reflects his fascination with the triangular silhouettes seen on temples and shrines throughout Japan. These forms carry cultural symbolism and architectural significance, and Kawai brings them into the present through precision, modularity, and thoughtful engineering.
The horizontal pendant features modular, tile-shaped elements, creating a precise, architectural rhythm
The Kawara collection expresses Kawai’s dual grounding in craftsmanship and industrial production. Each idea he develops is considered not only for its conceptual clarity but also for its practical ability to become a functional and reconfigurable product. This mindset guided the development of Kawara. The design relies on a controlled number of parts, straightforward assembly, and durable materials that ensure longevity.
Modularity is the central language of Kawara. Each lighting module is crafted from extruded aluminium and is shaped to allow multiple configurations. Small connecting rings create seamless alignments, enabling various compositions that respond to the scale and purpose of a space. Designers can create a long continuous pendant, a vertical sculptural sequence, or a dynamic angled structure. The back of each module features gentle grooves that maintain visual harmony even when the lighting is arranged in unconventional directions.
The vertical pendant configuration stacks the modular, tile-inspired forms into a sculptural sequence
The integrated LED strip enhances the system’s flexibility. The light output can be adjusted through a built in dimmer that supports atmospheric shifts across different environments. The modularity of the structure paired with the tunable quality of the lighting allows each installation to act as both an architectural element and a source of illumination.
Kawai’s approach shows profound respect for Japanese roof tiles known as kawara. These tiles have protected sacred roofs for centuries and embody a sense of permanence. While adapting their form into lighting elements, he worked closely with engineers to refine the ridges and curves so that the product retained the essence of the original craft. This careful translation preserves cultural meaning without turning the design into a direct imitation.
The floor lamp version stacks the modular "kawara" forms to create a flexible, sculptural presence
The Kawara collection is available in multiple versions. A horizontal pendant supports long linear arrangements and becomes a natural focal point in dining or work areas. The vertical pendant introduces a more sculptural presence with modules arranged upward or downward. A floor version offers flexibility for interior layouts that require mobility and softer spatial divisions. This variety allows the lighting to adapt to homes, hospitality spaces, offices, and galleries.
The lamp's slim profile reveals the precision-crafted aluminum that translates the "triangular silhouette" of a roof tile
Sustainability is another guiding principle of the project. The system can be disassembled, reconfigured, and extended, which encourages long term use rather than replacement. This adaptability respects both environmental responsibility and the practical needs of users who experience changing spaces over time.
Visually, Kawara communicates through clarity and refinement. The aluminium modules appear both technical and warm. Their sculptural quality comes from meticulous detailing that highlights the junction lines and gentle grooves. The design becomes an architectural ornament as much as a functional object. It introduces structure, rhythm, and elegance without demanding attention.
The horizontal pendant acts as an architectural focal point, its modular form inspired by Japanese "kawara" tiles
Kawai describes the Kawara collection as a field of rationality combined with surprise. Although a single continuous element was part of his early experimentation, the modular combinations reveal the true character of the system. They allow playfulness, variation, and a sense of movement.
The vertical pendant adds a sculptural, modular presence, a "cultural translation" in a vibrant, modern interior
Through Kawara, Yusuke Kawai gives new life to a historic architectural motif. He transforms a symbolic and essential element of traditional Japanese construction into a lighting collection that speaks to contemporary design values. Innovation, respect for heritage, and a clear design language converge in a product that feels timeless and forward looking at the same time.
PHOTO CREDIT: Pedrali
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