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28New York · Tillotson Design Associates

A facade like a Torah scroll

At Lincoln Square Synagogue, LEDs hidden in the frames of undulating glass ribbons make the facade glow without a single visible source.

Dazzle Digest desk · from the linked project pages

Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York. Lighting design by Tillotson Design Associates.
Lincoln Square SynagogueThe undulating glass ribbons of the east facade, lit from within their frames.Photo: Tillotson Design Associates

The east facade of Lincoln Square Synagogue is made of undulating ribbons of glass that represent a Torah scroll and the five books of the Torah; stone ends suggest the scroll’s protective covering1.

Linear LEDs are built into the top and bottom of each glass facet. The top extrusion blocks every sightline to the LEDs from the congregation, and at the bottom an acrylic diffuser protects them and keeps dirt out1.

From the project

Inside, light on the translucent ceramic frit turns the glass into a glowing wall in the evening, a backdrop for the congregation1. The studio lists a 2015 AL Design Award and a 2016 IALD Radiance Award1.

The synagogue at dusk among its neighbours.
Lincoln Square Synagogue · the streetThe synagogue at dusk among its neighbours.Photo: Tillotson Design Associates

More from the project

Lincoln Center in New York. Lighting design by Tillotson Design Associates.
Lincoln Center, New YorkPeople cross toward the glowing glass canopy and the Grand Entry Stairs.Photo: Tillotson Design Associates

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these public pages. Open the original to check it, or to see more of the project.

  1. Tillotson Design AssociatesTillotson Design Associates — Lincoln Square SynagogueUndated page · checked 2026-09-28
Next · p.29A building that has to light anything.In brief: the Shed, and two flagship stores.

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Be a good neighbour.

This story is from the October 2026 New York issue of Dazzle Digest, a free monthly magazine about lighting and life after dark.

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Dazzle Digest is an independent magazine. Stories are written by the Dazzle Digest desk from the public pages linked under each one; photographs belong to the credited studios, makers and photographers and remain under rights review. No brand, studio or manufacturer in these pages is a sponsor.