Land of rising sun an inspiration
The Great Wave of Kanagawa, depicted by numerous Japanese artists in the 19th century, was a starting point for the design of the Lexus marquee at this year's spring carnival .
Designed by Hecker Guthrie, the three-level, 350-square-metre marquee (including rooftop terrace) is strategic, given the Lexus manufacturing base in Japan.
Rather than creating a similar wave to those depicted in the past, Hecker Guthrie pixilated it to create a contemporary pattern in the familiar blues to sand-colour yellows.
"There are at least 40 different interpretations of the great wave. We wanted to engage with this iconic image, but we also wanted to create a fresh interpretation," says interior designer Paul Hecker.
Guests attending the Lexus marquee arrive into a double-height space, with the pixilated wave fabric appearing from floor to ceiling. Framing a Lexus vehicle, the "wave" acts as a welcoming mat.
"We were given a fairly loose brief from our clients, The Big Group, but it was important to make that Japanese connection," says Hecker, who used the same fabric to finish bars, trestle-style tables and for furnishings. Once this strong palette was established, other materials, such as plywood and pine - humble materials often used in Japanese homes - came into play.
"Traditional Japanese homes are often timber framed, with paper used for interior walls and partitions," Hecker says.
Past the Lexus, guests experience a variety of seating areas, from bench-style to small table arrangements. And suspended above are a series of contemporary paper lanterns. Like a Japanese home, the joinery, such as the bench-style tables, is finished in fine interlocking detail, not dissimilar to a pagoda.
The tables are decorated with highly glazed vessels in hues of blue.
Like a Japanese tavern, where more intimate spaces can be found the higher one goes, sedan-style seating on the first floor allows for more intimate gatherings. And those who prefer to remain on the first floor also enjoy a bar there, complete with overhead lanterns.
The third level of the Lexus pavilion has been given over to a roof terrace created by landscape designer Jamie Durie. Like Hecker Guthrie, Durie was inspired by the simple materials used to construct Japanese homes. And like many Japanese homes, the plywood trellis is adorned with white wisteria.
"It's been a wonderful project for our team to work on. To start with a piece of fabric and see something like this evolve is a great process. It felt like a great hook to start with," Hecker says.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The design of the Lexus marquee was inspired by The Great Wave of Kanagawa, a famous Japanese artwork from the 19th century. The designers, Hecker Guthrie, used a pixilated version of the wave to create a contemporary pattern that reflects the iconic image.
The design of the Lexus marquee was inspired by The Great Wave of Kanagawa, a famous Japanese artwork from the 19th century. The designers, Hecker Guthrie, created a contemporary interpretation of this iconic image using a pixilated pattern in familiar blues and sand-colour yellows.
The Lexus marquee incorporates Japanese design elements through the use of traditional materials like plywood and pine, which are commonly found in Japanese homes. The interior features paper lanterns and fine interlocking joinery, reminiscent of a Japanese pagoda.
The Lexus marquee was designed by Hecker Guthrie. Their approach was to create a fresh interpretation of the iconic Great Wave of Kanagawa by using a pixilated pattern. They incorporated Japanese themes and materials, such as plywood and pine, to establish a strong connection to Japanese culture.
The pixilated wave design serves as a contemporary interpretation of the iconic Great Wave of Kanagawa. It acts as a welcoming mat for guests and frames a Lexus vehicle, creating a strong visual connection to Japanese culture.
The Lexus marquee utilized materials commonly found in traditional Japanese homes, such as plywood and pine. These materials were chosen to create a connection to Japanese culture and were complemented by a pixilated wave fabric that appeared throughout the space.
The Lexus marquee offers a variety of seating arrangements, including bench-style seating, small table arrangements, and sedan-style seating for more intimate gatherings. These options provide flexibility and comfort for guests.
The Lexus marquee reflects Japanese architectural elements through its use of timber framing, paper lanterns, and fine interlocking details in the joinery, reminiscent of a pagoda. The design also includes intimate seating arrangements similar to those found in Japanese taverns.
The Lexus marquee was designed by Hecker Guthrie, with landscape design by Jamie Durie. Both designers drew inspiration from traditional Japanese materials and aesthetics to create a cohesive and culturally rich environment.
Guests at the Lexus marquee can experience a double-height space with a pixilated wave fabric, various seating areas, contemporary paper lanterns, and a rooftop terrace adorned with white wisteria. The design offers both intimate and open spaces for gatherings.
The construction of the Lexus marquee utilized materials such as plywood, pine, and fabric. These materials are often used in Japanese homes and contribute to the authentic Japanese theme of the marquee.
The landscape design of the Lexus marquee's rooftop terrace was created by Jamie Durie. He was inspired by the simple materials used in Japanese homes and incorporated elements like a plywood trellis adorned with white wisteria.
Guests can enjoy a rooftop terrace designed by Jamie Durie, featuring a plywood trellis adorned with white wisteria. This space offers a serene and natural setting, inspired by the simplicity of Japanese gardens.
The Big Group provided a fairly loose brief for the Lexus marquee project, allowing the designers, Hecker Guthrie, to creatively interpret the iconic Great Wave of Kanagawa and incorporate Japanese themes into the design.
The Lexus marquee reflects the brand's connection to Japan through its design elements, materials, and cultural references. The use of Japanese-inspired aesthetics and the strategic location of the Lexus vehicle within the marquee highlight the brand's roots and heritage.
The Lexus marquee incorporates traditional Japanese home elements by using timber framing, paper for interior walls and partitions, and materials like plywood and pine. These elements create a connection to Japanese culture and architecture.
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