ModuleX® was selected for the Waseda International House of Literature (the Haruki Murakami Library), which opened after the remodeling of the former Building No. 4 at Waseda University.

Based on the concept of "Explore Your Story, Speak Your Heart," the library aims to be a center of global exchange in the fields of international literature and translated literature. In addition to the books, manuscripts, and other materials deposited and donated by Haruki Murakami himself, the library also houses a portion of his collection of tens of thousands of music records and CDs. The library also has a café, gallery, audio space, and other facilities.

The library's architecture is based on the design concept of a "tunnel," which is an interpretation of Murakami's literature by the designer and architect Kengo Kuma. The wooden louvered tunnel stretches over three floors above the "stair bookshelves" that extend from the entrance to the basement.

We received the following requests from Kengo Kuma & Associates: The lighting should highlight the wooden louvered tunnel without drawing attention to the inside structure of the ceiling.
The staircase should offer a comfortable environment for reading books.
The tunnel at the entrance to the building should feature shadows with beautiful gradation, rather than shadows with clear edges.
The challenge here was to devise a very elaborate lighting plan that required careful finishing touches.

In order to accurately determine the positions of lighting fixtures with lighting design and maintainability in mind, we analyzed the design data of the building and interior before starting the construction project. Our proprietary lighting design technique Lighting Analysis helped our customer to check the lighting effect in advance at meetings to finalize the lighting positions.
As such, we managed to achieve both an environmental lighting that illuminates the wooden louvers and the surrounding space from the bottom to the top to create an enticing atmosphere, and a functional lighting around the bookshelves.

In the end, the planned spaces were made to fulfill all the requests through final touches under the close supervision of Kengo Kuma.

The library is open to the general public by reservation.
More information:
https://www.waseda.jp/culture/wihl/en