Light for dancers, not for drama
At the School of American Ballet, ribbons of light run across the studios at right angles to the mirrors, so every corner is bright enough to work in.
The School of American Ballet, at Lincoln Center, stacks dance studios on top of each other: a new upper studio floats inside the original double-height space1. Tillotson Design Associates lit them with narrow, luminous ribbons of light that stretch across the studios, always perpendicular to the mirror1.
With linear wallwashers along the perimeter, the ribbons make sure all four corners of every studio are bright enough1. Balancing the upper studio’s light level against the washed double-height walls also cuts reflections in the glazing, which makes the space feel larger and more unified1.
The parents’ window
Parents watch from a lounge through a milky, translucent glass wall with a four-foot band of electrified glass that turns clear when switched on1. Privacy, visibility and evenness of light were balanced, the studio says, through careful choices of diffusion and light source1.
From the project
Daylight studies set how far the shades open and how bright the walls need to be1.
The studio lists a 2009 AIA Honor Award, a 2008 Lumen Award from IES New York City and a 2008 AL Design Award for the project1. The architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, also worked with Tillotson on Lincoln Center’s plazas and on the Shed, both in the next chapter1.
- Tillotson Design AssociatesLighting design
- Diller Scofidio + RenfroArchitecture
At a glance
- Light ribbons perpendicular to the mirrors.
- Wallwashers keep all four corners bright.
- A switchable glass band lets parents watch.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these public pages. Open the original to check it, or to see more of the project.
- Tillotson Design AssociatesTillotson Design Associates — School of American BalletUndated page · checked 2026-09-28
Chapter 04 · Work and studyRead it in the issue →
