Penetration of Light

The Penetration of Light[s] Learning and Performance Center for MOB Ballet serves as a hub for education, interaction, and exhibition, providing resources for the entire community. Housed within one of the Carnegie Brooklyn Public Libraries, built in 1906, the existing structure is dramatically transformed by new architectural forms that sculpt light and nest shadow. This interplay of light and darkness honors Black dancers and artists who have challenged racial prejudice and claimed their place in the cultural sphere.

The design draws inspiration from the early history of Black ballet, a time when dancers were excluded from ballet schools and public classes, often forced to train privately or teach themselves—practicing in the shadows. Through perseverance, their talent propelled them onto the stage, breaking barriers and redefining the ballet discipline.