ESI Reimagines Civic Engagement with the “National Light” Monument
Conceived for America’s 250th birthday, the National Light project creates an adaptable, living symbol rooted in a simple idea: every voice matters.
ESI Design, part of NBBJ, first envisioned the project for Riverfield, then adapted it for Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, and later reimagined it for the National Constitution Center. The project transforms visitors’ voices into an immersive civic experience—designed to evolve with its context.
At Contribution Stations, prompts ranging from broad questions about democracy to timely topics like Black History Month or Veterans Day invite participation. As each visitor speaks, the National Light animates in real time, allowing people to see and hear their voices translated into a synchronized 360° light-and-sound composition. As visitors move through the installation, translucent surfaces reveal new visual effects, while a live “symphony” of voices turns participation into the experience itself—with no two moments or messages the same.
- Client: Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
We want to make it a gathering place for people thinking about civics, government, and the state of the country.