Choi Dining Hall, Princeton University

In May 2023, Princeton University unveiled a series of additions to their Yeh College campus. The project saw the development of several spaces to bring students and faculty together in a collaborative environment and foster dynamic and meaningful relationships. One of these spaces was the Choi Dining Hall, a gathering space serving multicultural cuisine in a beautiful space.

To create a welcoming and relaxed environment, the design focused on bright colors, warm wood tones, and a lot of natural light for a “living room” feel. The result of these designs has been overwhelmingly positive, with Choi Dining Hall and the surrounding areas quickly becoming a popular spot with students.

For a striking centerpiece to the large room, a scrolling marquee was developed. But a massive screen would certainly look out of place in this space with its natural materials and focus on face-to-face interaction. OneLux Studio and Nanometer decided to continue the wood slat motif found on the ceiling, and layer in an unexpected surprise using Nanometer’s NanoLine Original fixtures in static white with Pixel Controls.

Thanks to the Pixel Controls, each LED within the NanoLine Original fixtures can be programmed independently. By programming the right section of the line of light in sequence, the installation can be transformed into an animated sign for endless possibilities.

They can be programmed at different locations and varying intensities for dreamy, atmospheric shifts…

“Aurora”

“Sweep”

“Clouds”

“Vertical Twinkle”

“Sparkle”

…and they can handle intricate and highly precise patterns to create custom images and messages:

It can even serve as a clock, a must for students who need to get to class on time.

When off, the NanoLine Original fixtures are camouflaged within the wooden slats and blend into the existing decor. And even when on, the animations complement, rather than dominate, the space. The static white LEDs are tranquil and do not distract from the activity in the space, whether that’s studying or socializing.