ALG was responsible for the exterior and interior lighting design for the renovation of Sano Service Area (Inbound) . The architectural design was supervised by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Located on a hilltop, the facility was envisioned not only as a place for rest, but also as a destination where visitors can experience the local culture and enjoy their stay.

The exterior lighting design highlights the building’s signature deep eaves and wood-finished louvers. Light was carefully designed so that the horizontal lines and subtle shadows across the roof plane gradually emerge from dusk into the night. Harmonizing with the surrounding nightscape, the lighting enhances the facility’s architectural character while creating a welcoming sense of arrival.

For the interior, the shopping area and food court are illuminated at 3500K, while the restaurant is lit at 3000K, creating a balance between vibrancy and comfort. The restaurant features custom tube pendant luminaires inspired by the Asama Fire Festival, an intangible folk cultural asset of Sano City. In the shopping area, indirect lighting and spotlights create a cohesive spatial atmosphere while enhancing the presentation of merchandise.

An uplight was also integrated into the wood-finished louver wall at the entrance vestibule. Its light output was carefully fine-tuned to avoid interfering with the lighting effect of the deep eaves. Through light, the project unifies architectural expression, commercial functionality, and local identity into a cohesive lighting design.