The "Cave" Theme: A Metaphor for Our Comfortable Living Spaces

" (standard)³-smart," Panasonic Electric Works' 2010 exhibition, proposed an optimized living environment achieved through the intelligent and smart control of a wide array of products. The exhibition showcased not only product design but also spatial arrangements incorporating "invisible design" that looks ahead to next-generation energy management.

The exhibition space was designed by Martino Berghinz, an architect active in Italy. He envisioned the "cave," where early humans lived in harmony with nature using minimal tools and technology, as a metaphor for our comfortable modern living spaces, creating a "modern cave" filled with cutting-edge technology. The aim was to allow visitors to discover new technologies and products in a way that felt like a treasure hunt.

Metaphor of the "Cave"

Regarding the "cave" theme, Martino Berghinz stated: "This year's Panasonic Electric Works exhibition features numerous products with advanced technologies that consider smart ways to use energy and protect the environment. I was reminded of the distant past when humanity began, living in caves. Back then, people took responsibility for their own lives, using the few tools and technologies they possessed to live each day, coexisting with nature, and leading sustainable lives. For this exhibition, I wanted to use the "cave," the stage of those ancient lives, as a metaphor for our comfortable living spaces. When I saw Panasonic Electric Works' original building material, "Kenaf Board," I was convinced it would be the perfect means to express the interconnectedness of Panasonic Electric Works' products. It symbolically represents Panasonic Electric Works' technology, its commitment to ecology, its future potential, and its aesthetic sensibilities. By arranging the boards in various shapes and presenting them from multiple perspectives, we create anticipation for what comes next and surprise the visitors. Simultaneously, these complex forms subtly hint at the multifaceted nature of Panasonic Electric Works' technological and ecological worldview."

The venue was divided into three zones: "Next-Generation Zone," "Control Zone," and "Product Zone." The "Next-Generation Zone" showcased next-generation technologies for "comfort and ecology," including MODIFY and organic EL lighting panels. The "Control Zone" allowed visitors to experience smart control for "comfort and ecology" with exhibits like the LIFinity ECO management system for home systems, a distance image sensor, LED downlights, and a massage sofa. Finally, the "Product Zone" offered hands-on experience with actual products for "comfort and ecology," such as the Aero Washer, theアラウーノ (Araunoo) self-cleaning toilet, the Living Station kitchen, and Kenaf boards.

Panasonic Electric Works
Salone Official Site
http://panasonic-denko.co.jp/salone/