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Since establishing the Unolai Lighting Design brand in New York in 2005, award-winning lighting designer Uno Lai's works have been widely acclaimed in major cities worldwide. In 2015, he founded Uno Lab with unique insight to venture into the field of new media interaction. Over the years, Uno has been tirelessly promoting "light" for Taiwan, collaborating with global lighting leader Signify to explore various possibilities of light and inject diverse brilliance of light into the world.
At first glance, Uno Lai's gentle and restrained appearance mirrors his early works, often evoking romantic and tranquil associations. In conversation, his charm of being reserved yet warm hides many unexpected surprises, much like the primary colors of light: red, green, and blue. He navigates between passion, poetry, and freedom, showcasing a versatile and inclusive nature that harmoniously blends into various captivating forms.
"My work is to explore the possibilities of light. To me, 'light' is a design method, and the beautiful life created through 'light' is my true mission." Uno's works span across the globe, including projects at Rosewood Bangkok hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott in Los Angeles, the transformation of the banquet hall at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, and the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan in Taipei. His refined and insightful creations have earned international recognition.
In the pursuit of light, the global lighting leader Signify has been a great partner for Uno Lai throughout his journey. Projects such as the revitalization of Love River Bay and its riverside lights in Kaohsiung, the Sky Taipei, the architectural facade lighting of Taipei 101, and the Bund landscape lighting in Shanghai are all renowned projects Uno created hand in hand with Signify. "Signify and I share a curiosity and pursuit of light, bringing together the most comprehensive product supply chain, emphasizing service details from the front end to after-sales. The diverse and customized lighting options satisfy my creative imagination; it is not only a trusted partner but also a solid support, helping me realize our shared professionalism and creativity in important global projects."
Red, the fearless courage with passion
Above Philips Voila One Table Lamp is equipped with Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb 9.5W by Signify. Suit jacket and suit pants both by Boss.
Philips Voila One Table Lamp is equipped with Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb 9.5W by Signify. Suit jacket and suit pants both by Boss.
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In contrast to the tranquil romance of his works, Uno's multinational lifestyle has remained in high gear over the years, traveling between Taipei and New York. He jokingly remarks that the version of himself after turning 30 is a completely different "character." Unlike his previous serenity, at the age of 30, amidst entrepreneurship and competitive pressures, he fell in love with the thrill brought by extreme sports like skiing and surfing. These activities not only provided an outlet for his life but also unleashed the wild passion buried deep within his heart.
Uno shared that his initial motivation for learning to ski was simple: "I wanted to go up to the mountains and see the beautiful scenery that others couldn't see from different heights." Dedicated to this pursuit, he even went on to become a certified ski instructor step by step. Now, he can bring more people to the mountains to share the beauty, reflecting his belief in the essence of "sharing" in design. "As a designer, I believe it is essential to be curious about new things. Observations and experiences in life are my greatest source of inspiration in the design process!"
Looking back, he considers himself fortunate to have coincided with the birth of LED technology while studying lighting design, marking a departure from the 50-year era dominated by traditional light sources. This period was both a turning point and a challenge. His rebellious nature drove him to explore paths less trodden, continuously challenging himself in design: "Because skiing and surfing are more exhilarating, they have made me braver! Things that others dare not try or have given up on, I think to myself, why not give it a try? My original intention is to change lives through design and realize endless imaginations about life through light."
Blue, the soul that freely gallops
Above Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable Table Lamp by Signify. The denim jacket and denim pants both by LEVI'S®, with a white shirt by Boss.
Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable Table Lamp by Signify. The denim jacket and denim pants both by LEVI'S®, with a white shirt by Boss.
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In terms of home settings, "light" is a crucial element that influences the living environment and atmosphere. Uno observed that Western countries pay great attention to the ambiance of their homes, breaking the traditional perception of home lighting being solely for illumination. In contemporary residential design, there is a trend towards extending lighting settings beyond basic functionality. Specific scenes like "Cigar mode" and "Wine mode" are being incorporated, with variations in brightness levels and colored lights. Moreover, these settings are integrated with interior materials in spaces such as kitchens, libraries, and living rooms to enhance the overall environmental texture.
Using himself as an example, Uno stated, "My home is like a large experimental lab, with both my homes in Taipei and New York equipped with Signify's Philips Hue smart lighting system. I can switch between different living scenes anytime through the app." He humorously compared himself to the versatile Philips Hue smart lighting system, saying, "The commonly used warm white tones give off a reserved and steady vibe, mirroring my usual demeanor. However, after having the third glass of whiskey in the evening, the ceiling might switch to red, blue, or green, with lights pulsating to the rhythm of music, showcasing a privately uninhibited side."
Green, poetic and tranquil design
Above Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus
by Signify. Suit jacket, suit pants, and long-sleeve shirt all by John Varvatos.
Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus by Signify. Suit jacket, suit pants, and long-sleeve shirt all by John Varvatos.
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During the pandemic, Uno realized that he had been constantly flying between countries in the past, giving little time to reflect and listen to his inner voice. With more personal time during the pandemic, he found the opportunity to create many awe-inspiring lighting environments. He emphasized, "When viewing artworks, one should not just look at the exterior; works that are rich in soul can become classics." Among them, the renovation project along the 7-kilometer riverbank of the "Love River" utilized 12,000 energy-saving LED lights from Signify, illuminating six interconnected bridges, reshaping the lighting environment of Kaohsiung,. This initiative enhanced the city's aesthetics, received positive feedback from many Kaohsiung residents, successfully fostering residents’ civic identity and providing him with a sense of accomplishment.
The 2023 Taipei 101 New Year's fireworks show, directed by Uno Lai in charge of the lighting and music design, also left a profound impact. The deliberate interruption of time at the beginning of the show, using Signify's stable and comprehensive lighting system, smoothly transitioned the grand scene from silence to joy, symbolizing the city bidding farewell to the pandemic era and looking forward to a new life in the future. This experience led to a change in his mindset, realizing that design is not just about being straightforward and visually appealing, but also about considering the experience presented to viewers, the comfort of use, and the impact on a spiritual level, so he can continue to create poetic and captivating works with lights.
White, the radiant and pure sum
Above Philips Voila One Table Lamp is equipped with Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb 9.5W, and Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable Table Lamp both by Signify.
Philips Voila One Table Lamp is equipped with Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb 9.5W, and Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable Table Lamp both by Signify.
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"Stay foolish, stay hungry!" is Uno's expectation for his own designs, striving for change and innovation to stay ahead in society. Just like Signify, which pursues innovation with high standards, often demonstrating a forward-looking understanding in its products that rivals Uno Lai's vision. For example, the "mushroom"-shaped 3D printed Philips Voila One Table Lamp is an outstanding work by Signify that combines sustainability and artistic creativity, making lighting design more lively, creative, and meaningful.
"When the first light bulb appeared, the world of humanity was already changed. When imagining scenes of the future world, I need partners like Signify to realize creativity through technology, allowing inspiration to come to life, making light more than just light but a tool to change the world." In the future, Uno hopes to integrate light with materials, floors, and furniture to create more non-traditional, lifestyle-oriented, and innovative lighting creations. Whether it's in design, skiing, music learning, or exploration, Uno Lai is always filled with innovation, curiosity, and a steadfast dedication to his profession. Like the primary colors of light, mixing in different proportions to create renowned global projects, he upholds a unique aesthetic taste and daring creative spirit, continuing to play with light with innovation and illuminate the future.
PHOTOGRAPHY：Uliz Hung
STYLING：Kirstie Wang
MAKE-UP & HAIR：Ray Chang
VIDEO：Youzhi Zeng
