NightSeeing

Lights, Camera, WALK: A Night Walking Guide to the Most Spectacular Lighting Designs of New York City

VIEW our electronic map or SEE our previous maps!

This NIGHT WALKING Map is representative of many noteworthy lighting design projects viewable by the public in New York City. Guidebooks to New York City dutifully recount the names of buildings, the details of structural engineering feats, and the intricacies of construction materials. While it may not be unusual for a tourist to point to a notable skyline tower and evoke the architect, how many can supply the name of the lighting designer responsible for bringing that building to light? This map showcases NYC’s illuminated buildings and the lighting designers responsible, from architectural masterpieces to the cutting edge, hip and trendy...at night!

Whether you’re new to the city, a frequent visitor or a seasoned New Yorker, we hope you find this NIGHT WALKING Map to be a worthy companion as you explore the city. So, with guide in hand, enjoy New York City’s nightscapes from dusk to dawn.

LINKS

- Mayor's Welcome Message
- Skyline History
- Sponsors and Map Credits

Space does not permit us to include complete descriptions of every project that have contributed to NYC’s spectacular nighttime skyline. This guide instead captures the highlights, profiling those buildings and monuments that inspire the inevitable question as night descends and light transforms the cityscape…“What building is that?”

HOW TO USE THIS MAP

Whether seen from the water, air, taxi, or from atop the city’s tallest towers, the spectacle of New York City by night can take your breath away. The best way to explore the city is by foot. This NIGHT WALKING Map is a self guided walking tour, showcasing our city at night.

WALKING GUIDE LINKS

- Uptown
- MidTown
- The Villages
- Downtown
- Skyline Panorama / Towers

The IESNYC is no longer offering the Night Walking Map for purchase on our website. We're happy to report that all copies have been sold! The map is still available for free download. Sorry for any inconvenience.

MAIN MAP- OVERVIEW

1. West Midtown Ferry Terminal – West 39th and West Side Highway. Lighting: Domingo Gonzalez Associates

2. Mixed Greens Gallery – 531 W 26th Street between 10th and 11th Avenue. Lighting: Tillotson Design Associates

2006 Lumen Award of Merit

The lighting in this Chelsea art gallery is as fresh and crisp as its name, “Mixed Greens”. With the exception of a few strategically placed halogen spot lights and wall washers, the gallery is illuminated entirely by dimmable 3000K fluorescent light. The linear T5HO striplights are tandem mounted and carefully installed around ductwork and sprinkler pipes to eliminate shadows. The result is a dynamic, frosted acrylic luminous ceiling. The strong graphic lines of the ceiling’s support grid (organized around a curved circulation path governed by five irregularly spaced columns) serves as a draw for clients to venture into the gallery.

Lighting: Suzan Tillotson, Shiri Cnaani, Greg Emetaz: Tillotson Design Associates
Architect: David Leven, Leven Betts Studio Architects
Interior Designer: Ghislaine Vinas, Ghislane Vinas
Project Owner: Mixed Greens, Mixed Greens Gallery
Photography by: Michael Moran

3. This Way – East end of Brooklyn Bridge, Cadman Plaza East and Prospect St., Brooklyn. Lighting: Tillett Lighting Design

Photography: Seth Ely, Tillett Lighting Design

4. Central Wing School of Architecture – Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn. Lighting: Arc Light Design

2006 Lumen Award of Merit with Distinction for Civic Service

The 22,500SF Central Wing is the “glass bridge” re-uniting the two wings of the School of Architecture left standing after the fire of 1996. This replacement addition project links the floors (all at different elevations) and includes 4 Studios, an Exhibition Gallery, 2 Classrooms and the Lecture Hall. The interiors finishes are “absolutely” minimal, including limited finished ceilings. Though most fixtures were surface mounted, no exposed conduit was allowed. All hardware and power is within the pre-cast plank structure. Custom pendants were designed to minimize plank penetrations. Custom recessed downlights were fixed inside the planks in the Lecture Hall.

Lighting: David Singer, Liliana Ivanovska, Jerry Ryu, Si Young Kim, Sandra Chung: Arc Light Design
Design Architect: Steven Holl Architects
Architect of Record: Rogers Marvel
Project Owner: Tony Gelber, Pratt Institute
Photography: David Sundberg, Estos Photography

5. Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant – Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Lighting: L’Observatoire International

OFF THE MAP

Postcards,The Staten Island September 11th Memorial –Staten Island. Lighting: Fisher Marantz Stone

2005 Lumen Citation - slide show

Located on the St. George Esplanade and framing the former WTC site across New York Harbor, the memorial, entitled "Postcards," features two 40-foot-high white wing-like sculptures. Representing large-scale postcards to the loved ones who perished, each of the 267 plaques erected thus far signifies a commemorative stamp. Granite plaques bearing the names of each victim provide a disparate and haunting image. At nightfall, light adds a powerful emotional dimension and communicates the compassionate vision of the architect. The raw power of light and dark set the tone. Slots behind each plaque allow light to filter through, illuminating each profile in silhouette.

Architect: Masayuki Sono, Collaborator: Lapshan Fong
Owner: NYC Economic Development Corporation

Photography: Ed Massery
New York Botanical Garden – New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. Lighting: Domingo Gonzalez Associates

Robin Hood Library Initiative, PS32 – 690 East 183rd Street between Beaumont and Cambreleng Avenues, Bronx. Lighting: Renfro Design Group

2006 Lumen Award of Merit with Distinction for Civic Service

This library at PS32 was renovated as part of The Robin Hood Foundation’s Library Initiative project. The goal was to create a space that would engage the literary interests of students and the community. The architects’ grand gesture is the deep blue ceiling, in which a “random” field of downlights conjures up images of a starry sky. Reading alcoves wrapped with warm wood glow invitingly from lensed fluorescent slots behind the benches. Special reading areas are identified with tall, custom designed shades mounted below recessed downlights. Students now have a revitalized environment in which to read, learn and enjoy.

Lighting: Richard Renfro, Rebecca Malkin, Michael Peace Renfro Design Group
Architect: Tod Williams, Billie Tsien, Elisa Testa, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
Project Owner, Project Manager, External Initiatives: Kenneth Anderson, Robin Hood Foundation
Photography: Peter Mauss

George Washington Bridge (L, i) – Hudson River and 178th St.Lighting: Domingo Gonzalez Associates

Illumination of the Coney Island Parachute Jump – Coney Island. Lighting: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects LTD

2007 Lumen Citation - journal page

The nightscape glowed in oranges, pinks, purples and reds when the landmark 277-foot rehabilitated 20th century tower was illuminated. The dynamic lighting scheme was designed to evoke thrill of the famous amusement ride. The designers “choreographed” six different computer-programmed sequences that allude to special times of the year. Custom-designed luminaries (composed of three one-watt red LEDs) are mounted to the tower and canopy and calibrated to address different viewing vantage points. Color-changing floodlights and a computer controller complete the system. Illuminated 365 days/year, the tower is a beacon for the redevelopment of Coney Island.

Engineer: STV, Inc.
Project Owner: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
Photography: Eduard Hueber, Arch Photo Inc.

JFK International Arrival Terminal 4 – JFK Airport. Lighting: SBLD Studio

2002 Lumen

The architectural theme of transparency guided the lighting design concepts for this airport terminal. Inside, ambient uplighting and supplemental downlights for punch and animation are tools used throughout. This once cavernous, hectic and anonymous space has been transformed into more humane, separate and functional areas, each defined by the careful placement of the correct lighting instrument.

Lighting: Susan Brady Lighting Design, Inc. and COMM Arts
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
Owner: JFK International Airlines Terminal
Photographer: Attila Uysal

Brooklyn Public Libray – Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. Lighting: Arup Lighting, NYC

2008 Lumen Award of Merit

Modern technology is incorporated into refurbished period post lights and beautifully detailed downlights above the main doorway. The updated downlights and new uplights highlight the gilded figures of the doors as a focal point of the plaza. Illumination throughout is provided using minimal fixtures. Lighting is integrated with handrails, ramp lighting also illuminates inscriptions, and wall lights mark the plaza boundary while accentuating new water features.

Photography By: Matt Franks and Gabe Guilliams

Statue of Liberty – Hudson River. Lighting: Brandston Partnership

Guide Links:
Main Page - Uptown - MidTown - The Villages - Downtown - Skyline Panorama / Towers