Amidst the animated vibrancy of Times Square, Touro University’s new flagship campus needed to have a strong presence. Inspired by a performance where a soloist danced within a follow spot of shadow on an illuminated stage, award-winning lighting designer Anita Jorgensen adapted this concept to create the University’s identity in complete shadow against a brightly illuminated feature wall. Instead of conveying the college identity with intense illumination, the design uses stillness and simplicity to stand in contrast with its surroundings while meeting the district’s lighting requirements. The name of the university is delineated in complete shadow, while on the exterior canopy, the letters mirror in glowing bright white. LED ribbons face a 27-foot-tall matte white wall, and the reflected light fills the lobby with luminosity, a starlight pattern of miniature downlights leads to the warm maple feature stairs highlighted by concealed wall grazers. The lighting design creates a bold yet dignified lobby that is highly visible to passersby.

On this tour with Anita Jorgensen of Anita Jorgensen Lighting Design, hear about how this striking design came together and what it takes to create something uniquely eye-catching in the 24/7 entertainment district of Times Square.

OHNY at Night: This tour is part of a series of evening tours spotlighting the work of lighting designers produced in partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section (IESNYC). Explore more.

The Touro University lobby is wheelchair accessible.

About 20 minutes of the tour will take place outdoors. Dress for the weather.