Lead: A Beacon of Sustainable Innovation

Recycled Cork LED Lantern by Takanori Urata Wins Prestigious Design Award

The Lead lantern was showcased at the NEW NORMAL, NEW STANDARD exhibition in Tokyo in the fall of 2022. The exhibition presented designs for comfortable preparedness, proposing ways to incorporate design into our daily lives to enhance safety and peace of mind. Urata's lantern, portable and soothing, was designed with this ethos in mind. The primary material, recycled cork, was sourced from wine bottle stoppers consumed at restaurants in Tokyo, demonstrating a commitment to a recycling-oriented society.

What sets the Lead lantern apart is its unique properties. The body, made from recycled wine cork, emits a warm glow when lit, creating a comforting ambiance. The lantern is rechargeable, compact, and can provide light for approximately 13 hours, making it a reliable source of light in times of disaster.

The lantern was realized through the Tokyo Cork Project, which collects and recycles wine bottle corks. The cork body and the upper part, made from recyclable aluminum, were precisely machined. An LED is installed on the back of the aluminum upper to emit light indirectly on the cork surface, thus utilizing the gentle texture of the cork material and transforming it into a small lantern.

The design process involved overcoming several challenges, including maintaining a compact size while ensuring sufficient light intensity and battery life. The softness of the recycled cork also posed a challenge for precise carving, but a factory with advanced processing technology was found to create the ideal shape.

Lead is more than just a lighting fixture; it is a symbol of sustainable design and innovation. It demonstrates how recycled materials can be transformed into functional and aesthetically pleasing products. The lantern's gentle light serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a sustainable future.

The Lead lantern is a testament to the power of sustainable design and the potential of recycled materials. It is a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a more sustainable future. This innovative design, which has been recognized with a prestigious award, is a shining example of the potential of sustainable design.