FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokumitsu Taanto: An Immersive Public Restroom Showcasing Kanazawa Gold Leaf Craftsmanship

The Tokumitsu Taanto public restroom, designed by Nobuaki Miyashita and completed in April 2021 in Hakusan, Ishikawa, Japan, has been recognized with the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category for 2025. This unique project reimagines the traditional Japanese craft of Kanazawa gold leaf, transforming it into a contemporary and immersive spatial experience that elevates a routine activity into an extraordinary encounter.

Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Kaga and the artistry of gold leaf, Miyashita's design features over 3,000 hand-applied gold leaf tiles, each crafted using the UNESCO-listed technique. The tiles, set against a dark backdrop, interact with strategically planned indirect lighting, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. This dynamic environment allows the golden surfaces to shift in appearance throughout the day, enveloping visitors in a surreal, luminous chamber that feels both timeless and modern.

The project's realization involved extensive research into the reflective properties of gold leaf and lighting simulations to maximize the material's visual impact. The technical challenge of balancing the gold's texture with a refined ambiance was overcome through meticulous studies of light angles and visitor sensory evaluations. The result is a 25-square-meter restroom with a 2.9-meter ceiling, where tradition and innovation converge, offering users an immersive, art-like experience that highlights the potential of Japanese craftsmanship in contemporary design.

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