Since it opened in 2006, the lights of 7 World Trade Center have been one of its most remarkable features. Glowing beacons in the night, they bathe the surrounding area in dramatic tones of blue, white and red.
Tonight, as part of Open House New York Weekend, Michael Hennes, the designer who worked on the lighting project, took visitors around the building and into the lobby. He displayed some rejected sketches, explained the rationale behind the design, and showed how and why the lights work as they do (including some malfunctions that have occurred).
It was an (ahem) illuminating experience. I’ve walked by these lights dozens of times, and I’ll never view them the same way again.
Illumination of 7 WTC
250 Greenwich St, Barclay St, New York
Sat:7:30 pm tour with lighting designer.
building date: 2006
architect: Skidmore, Owings and MerrillMichael Hennes of Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design will talk about the color-changing lighting within the lobby ceiling, exterior podium screen wall and 80-foot-height parapet changes from the white light of day to a vivid blue at night, while an interactive motion detection system triggers a deeper blue stripe of light that “follows” pedestrians as they walk along the sidewalk.
Everything around the building is bathed in blue light
This Jeff Koons sculpture is bright red; the lights make it appear violet
In the lobby, Hennes has the lights adjusted
The building was constructed by Silverstein Properties
Animated Jenny Holzer art installation in the lobby
Blue lights start to come back
Elevators are controlled by the user’s ID cards
Frosted glass interior of elevator car
Unmarked doorway in the corridor
Open House New York Weekend
Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design
Jenny Holzer
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Oh, this is gorgeous!!! Those lights are wonderful!!!
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la sculpture de Jeff Koons avec cette couleur bleue est magnifique.
the sculpture of Jeff Koons with this blue colour is splendid.
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cool! thanks for the tour =)
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