Astronomers, Rejoice: This New Lighting Collection Takes Cues from Constellations
Architect David Rockwell's resume is a lengthy one, and ranges from set design to prestigious hospitality projects; now, he can add a new lighting collection to that list. This latest project, a series of sconces, lamps, and chandeliers for Czech-based glass manufacturer Lasvit, takes cues from a revered New York landmark: Grand Central Terminal.
Though an every day part of the commute for many, Grand Central immediately made an impression on Rockwell, both in terms of its architecture and its energy. “I do recall the thousands of people moving in their own directions, with a synchronicity I had never seen before,” Rockwell tells ELLE DECOR of one of his first visits. “[It was] all underneath that iconic vaulted celestial ceiling.” The latter, a sprawling mural that includes over 2,500 gold stars, served as muse for his Constellation series with Lasvit.
The collection’s designs all resemble their namesake constellations. Cassiopeia, available as both a wall sconce and chandelier, bears the same “W” shape as its celestial counterpart while Gemini and Polaris, a table lamp and floor lamp, are both more linear designs. Ursa Minor, another chandelier, resembles the Little Dipper almost exactly, and the Tri-Star sconce, naturally, includes three points. Rockwell and Lasvit achieved the “starry” effect by encasing each light source in a glass dome, creating a soft, diffused luminescence that mimics the far-off glow of starlight.
As for Rockwell’s favorite? He says he’s installing a Cassiopeia fixture as a chandelier in his own home. “It invites you to look up,” he says. “It replicates that magical effect of Grand Central Terminal’s celestial ceiling mural on a smaller scale.” Even better? His take-home version of Grand Central doesn’t include any travel delays or meandering tourists.
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