The People’s Theatre, as its name suggests, both serves and reflects the vibrant, diverse communities of Inwood, Washington Heights, and others throughout Manhattan and New York. Filled with performing arts of all kinds, the space was designed to be warm and welcoming, and inspire curiosity and celebration of the myriad cultures and experiences that shape the city.

To create a central focal point that reflected the modern but playful nature of the space, Nanometer and Tillotson Lighting Associates created this one-of-a-kind chandelier which illuminates the two-story lobby and unifies the upper and lower levels. It indicates them both as gathering spaces and also serves as a welcoming feature and a subtle branding element. Centrally located over the Lower Lobby, it illuminates cocktail hours, talks, and exhibitions from above, while on the Upper Lobby, it serves as a backdrop for both the “rampatorium” and cafe.

Assembled entirely by the Nanometer team, the chandelier features 165 NanoFloat Round fixtures of 5 different sizes — 2”, 4”, 8”, 10”, and 12” — each housed in their own individual aluminum housing. The warm red color corresponds to the other colorful accents in the space, while the arrangement recalls the People’s Theatre logo and evokes organic forms. The different heights of the aluminum tube housings and the varying diameters mean that the chandelier remains visually interesting whether viewed from below, on the Lower Lobby, or from the side on the Upper Lobby.

Each NanoFloat fixture features Static White LEDs for clear, consistent light that floods the two-story space. As the main light source for the Lower Lobby, it was important to ensure that the space appeared airy and welcoming, with the light drawing the eye upward towards the activities and exhibits on the second level. The reflections of the NanoFloat Round fixtures on the surrounding housings also create a fascinating effect, replicating the circular motif and, with the help of the surrounding pot lights buy others, create the illusion of floating, moving points of light surrounding the chandelier.