An island oasis in the Hudson River west of Manhattan, Little Island @Pier55 is receiving praise as a unique arts area and green getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Nestled among the island’s more than 390 species of flowers, trees and shrubs are performance spaces outfitted with lighting designed by Evoke.

Designed by Heatherwick Studio and landscape architecture firm MNLA, the 2.4-acre artificial island park, funded by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, is a new public park with performing arts as an integrated component. A 687-seat amphitheater with views across the Hudson, “The Amph”, and a smaller stage, “The Glade”, are all designed to host a range of programming.

Evoke consulted with the Little Island team and created two flexible and extremely adaptable lighting designs for the venues. Little Island opened on May 21 to praise and applause from local New Yorkers and visitors alike. The new park hosts a range of diverse programming, the majority of it free, with a calendar that includes local artists, headliners, and genre-focused weeklong festivals.

Credits

Evoke Collaborative
Herrick Goldman lighting designer

Partners
Elation Professional lighting manufacturer
Worldstage lighting supplier