Architectural Cases

Experience the Future of Light: A-N-D's Innovative Copenhagen Space

The Genesis of a Vision: From Vancouver to Copenhagen

After more than a decade of meticulous development, A-N-D, a lighting enterprise from Vancouver, is establishing its first permanent outpost beyond Canadian borders. This significant step involves taking over a heritage building in Copenhagen, a structure with a rich past as a printing press. The new showroom, spanning three floors, is envisioned to host diverse functions, all unified by a core design principle that prioritizes iterative progress over mere repetition.

Unveiling A-N-D's Distinctive Design Ethos

During a revealing discussion, Lukas Peet, one of the co-founders, articulated the brand's journey of refinement and its deliberate, unhurried growth over fourteen years. He shared insights into the Copenhagen building, poised to transition from a historical paper factory into a beacon of modern lighting. Peet's presentation, enriched by visual renderings, brought to life the brand's aesthetic: a sophisticated blend of color, generous proportions, and a considered, rather than trendy, dark palette. The substantial feel of the products, unexpected from photographs, speaks to a unique Canadian design identity. The showroom's grand opening in June, coinciding with Copenhagen's '3 Days of Design', is highly anticipated.

The Collective Brilliance Behind A-N-D

A-N-D was established in Vancouver fourteen years ago by three individuals, Lukas Peet, Caine Heintzman, and Matt Davis, who, despite their varied backgrounds in lighting, shared a common objective. Peet, an alumnus of Design Academy Eindhoven and a recipient of Canada's Emerging Designer Award, brought an insatiable curiosity for materials, objects, and production processes, challenging conventional norms. Heintzman, educated at ECUAD and Kunsthochschule Berlin Weißensee, contributed a rigorous approach to material research and a sculptural sensitivity, focusing on modularity that reveals industrial elegance. Davis, with over ten years of senior business experience in lighting, provided strategic clarity and cohesion to the trio's vision. Their approach is characterized by a profound respect for existing forms, rather than a pursuit of mere competence.

Innovation Through Iteration: A-N-D's Creative Process

In practice, A-N-D's collections demonstrate a rich diversity in materials, scales, and techniques. There is no predetermined aesthetic formula or repeated design gesture; instead, a consistent methodology guides their work: prioritizing LED technology, driven by functionality, and meticulously refined to its core essence. This commitment involves a continuous, sometimes costly, pursuit of the optimal solution for every design challenge. Peet firmly states his disinterest in creating anything that already exists.

The "Pebble" Story: A Testament to Unwavering Quality

This principle comes with inherent challenges, which A-N-D openly acknowledges. Peet prefers to describe their development process as a methodical journey of slow growth and constant iteration, where each product informs the next. The "Pebble" pendant, a sculptural glass piece first unveiled at Euroluce 2019, exemplifies this journey. Initially handmade, the variation in artisanal production proved too broad for A-N-D's strict adherence to photographic accuracy—what clients see is precisely what they get. This led to years of development across different countries and manufacturers, ensuring consistent reproduction from a mold. A refined version of the "Pebble" will be showcased in Copenhagen, embodying Peet's conviction that design is an ongoing dialogue, not a series of compromises.

The Showroom as a Dynamic Instrument

The showroom itself occupies a protected historical building—a former paper printing facility nestled within a Copenhagen courtyard. Its high ceilings, expansive industrial windows, and a classic exterior staircase leading to the entrance all contribute to its distinctive character. Renderings suggest a vibrant atmosphere during future events, with music potentially wafting from the upper floors. The recurring theme is "refinement." The showroom is not merely a decorative space but a meticulously designed instrument, intended to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the products. The ground floor houses the Showroom Gallery, where the latest collections are displayed with an almost austere clarity.

A Symbiotic Relationship: Canada and Scandinavia in Design

On display are Caine Heintzman's "Pace" series and Peet's "Tier." The "Contour" and the refined "Pebble" are featured on an impressive five-meter-long table. Further back, the "Column," now with boundless extension capabilities, and Heintzman's original "Pipeline" design, newly revised, command attention. Furniture by Vancouver craftsman Christian Woo, a close associate, provides scale without overshadowing the lighting fixtures. Large-format LED lightboxes along the walls showcase brand photography, creating an environment that balances art and functional explanation. The immediate and singular message conveyed upon entry is clear: this is a dedicated lighting company.

The Technical Lab: Illuminating Precision and Confidence

Venturing into the basement reveals the Technical Lab, a space where precision and detail take center stage. The historical flooring has been preserved, influencing the design. All illumination within this area emanates from wall-mounted fixtures and illuminated sample racks centrally located. Dimmers and switches provide a fully controlled, daylight-free environment, allowing for detailed examination of finishes, modularity, and installation specifics. Finish swatches, prototypes, and process objects are available for scrutiny. Peet explains that the basement's primary purpose is not to impress, but to foster understanding and confidence in clients regarding their orders.

The Café A-N-D Bar: A Space for Contemplation and Connection

The second floor hosts the Café A-N-D Bar, an extension of an activation format A-N-D previously initiated. La Marzocco, the renowned Italian manufacturer of high-end espresso machines, is once again a partner. A central column installation featuring sound and adjustable dimming levels creates a contemplative ambiance. Peet playfully likens it to a church before promptly correcting himself, highlighting its function as a tranquil space for coffee, light, and carefully curated music.

Copenhagen: A Strategic and Cultural Alignment

The decision to open in Copenhagen was driven by both practical and less tangible factors. A reliable local partner, Ken, a Dane, streamlined logistics, including import structures, warehousing, and time zone considerations. More subtly, Peet notes a natural affinity between Canada and Scandinavia, characterized by a shared appreciation for quality and a similar understated approach to design. The annual rhythm of '3 Days of Design' in Copenhagen, in contrast to Euroluce's biennial schedule, is also strategically important for a brand that prioritizes organic growth. Since 2018, A-N-D has been diligently cultivating the European market—through engagements in Milan, London, Paris, and Copenhagen—building its presence incrementally. The new showroom represents a logical progression and a clear signal of their enduring commitment to the region, providing a physical space for clients to engage directly with critical questions about modularity, finishes, and real-world installation aesthetics.

The Anticipation of Dialogue and Discovery

What the three founders most eagerly await during '3 Days of Design' is not quantitative success, but rather the qualitative reactions and inquiries from visitors. Peet emphasizes that when someone enters and asks, "Where are you from? What is this?" that is precisely when meaningful conversations begin. For A-N-D, such dialogues are the very foundation of their work. We are already curious, and anticipate many more questions once we experience it firsthand.

GINZA SIX in Tokyo is evolving into a prominent cultural destination, seamlessly blending artistic expression with the rhythm of city life. Operating under the philosophy of 'From Ginza to the World', this innovative center provides a heightened sensory experience, fostering global creative exchange. A notable intervention by contemporary artist Julian Opie, inaugurated on September 11, 2025, introduced a groundbreaking dynamic film installation. This pioneering 'floating' LED artwork, titled 'Marathon. Women.', is the first of its kind within the building's central atrium, meticulously designed by Gwenael Nicolas of Curiosity. It invites patrons to engage with a captivating artistic display while enjoying their shopping experience, effectively blurring the lines between commerce and culture.

The concept behind GINZA SIX transcends the conventional retail model, establishing it as a significant cultural nexus. Through carefully curated collaborations with globally acclaimed artists, the venue successfully integrates cultural immersion and sensory stimulation, placing artistic engagement at the core of every visitor’s journey. Julian Opie’s ‘Marathon. Women.’ infuses the central atrium with a profound sense of vitality, marking his debut with a ‘floating’ LED installation. The artist, known for his deep interest in the interaction between art and its environment, re-imagines the commercial expanse as a dynamic digital canvas. Drawing inspiration from British female sprinters, the artwork masterfully captures the essence of human motion, harmonizing effortlessly with the daily rhythm of the building. This installation not only captivates the eye but also encourages contemplation on the synergy between art, architecture, and everyday urban existence.

GINZA SIX: A Fusion of Art and Urban Life

GINZA SIX is redefining the modern urban complex by integrating contemporary art directly into its commercial environment. This Tokyo landmark, guided by the theme 'From Ginza to the World', offers more than just retail; it provides a vibrant platform where high-level sensory engagement and global creative exchange flourish. The inclusion of Julian Opie's 'Marathon. Women.' installation is a testament to this vision, transforming the central atrium, designed by Gwenael Nicolas of Curiosity, into an immersive art space. This large-scale, dynamic LED artwork, portraying the fluid movement of sprinters, allows visitors to encounter art in an unexpected and engaging manner, enhancing their overall experience beyond typical shopping excursions. It positions GINZA SIX as a destination where culture is not merely observed but actively lived and breathed.

The overarching philosophy of GINZA SIX propels it beyond being a mere retail destination, solidifying its identity as a pivotal cultural hub. By consistently fostering site-specific partnerships with internationally renowned creators, the establishment seamlessly weaves cultural immersion and multisensory experiences into its very fabric, positioning art at the heart of the visitor’s exploration. Julian Opie’s ‘Marathon. Women.’ injects a powerful sense of dynamism into the building’s central atrium, representing his inaugural ‘floating’ LED artwork. The artist, whose work frequently explores the interplay between art and its environment, cleverly reconfigures the commercial void into an engaging digital spectacle. Inspired by the graceful athleticism of British female sprinters, the piece eloquently captures the rhythmic nuances of human motion, allowing it to naturally resonate with the daily pulse of the architectural space. This innovative approach ensures that art becomes an integral, rather than incidental, part of the urban experience.

Immersive Art Experiences: Opie's Vision at GINZA SIX

Julian Opie's installation at GINZA SIX features seven distinct runners, brought to life through his characteristic minimalist, colorful lines. These figures glide across suspended LED displays, each moving at varying speeds. The artwork is viewable from all four floors (2F-5F) of the atrium, with visuals presented on both sides of the screen, maximizing its spatial impact. Opie utilized rigorous VR simulations to develop this concept, leveraging LED signage as a "magical language" for swift visual interpretation and a sense of normalcy within the bustling environment. This dynamic display creates a captivating visual narrative, seamlessly integrating artistic expression with the daily activities of the commercial space, and demonstrating how art can transform public areas into vibrant cultural stages.

The installation vividly portrays seven runners rendered in Opie’s distinctive vibrant, minimalist style, each traversing suspended LED signage at differing velocities. These dynamic visuals are projected on both faces of the screens, ensuring the artwork is comprehensively visible from multiple vantage points across four levels (2F to 5F), thereby fully exploiting the immense volumetric potential of the space. Opie meticulously crafted this concept through extensive virtual reality simulations, employing LED signage as a ‘magical language’ that facilitates rapid perception and imbues a sense of ordinary yet extraordinary presence. Central to its narrative is the evocative, imagined human act of running, which echoes throughout the space, generating a profound sensation of motion that harmonizes with the lively array of shops and bustling crowds. The installation’s rectangular configuration intentionally mirrors the architectural geometry of the building. Each of the seven runners is distinguished by unique colors, and their diverse speeds choreograph an unending, rhythmic race around the central atrium. This meticulous design amplifies GINZA SIX’s role as an immersive urban environment where refined art is actively engaged with by every individual traversing its spaces.