DBIA NYC’s Bridges at Night: A Floating Case Study – Networking Event & Cocktail Cruise
Join the DBIA NYC Metro Region and Light Projects for an immersive, educational evening on the East River aboard the Eternity. This private twilight charter offers a unique vantage point to analyze New York City’s architectural icons and the technical complexity of its illuminated skyline.
Our journey begins at Pier 36, transitioning from a professional networking session into a deep dive into urban nighttime design. Guests will gain a firsthand understanding of how lighting and engineering converge to define the city’s nocturnal identity.
Due to the nature of this program and the availability of alcohol, those under 21 years of age will not be permitted to attend this event.
You must be 21 years of age or over to attend this event.
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*Earn one (1) DBIA CEH credit.
Educational & Networking Schedule
6:00 PM | Boarding & Networking: Connect with industry peers as we register and get ready to board at the pier.
6:30 PM | Departure, Networking and Cocktails and finger food: As we depart, engage in a networking over three levels of the boat. Meet on the first level some of our specialist lighting sponsors and their products and sales teams.
7:30 PM | Sunset Bridge Lighting Tour (Case Study): Experience a live, guided analysis of the RFK Bridge at peak illumination. Led by urban lighting expert and nighttime designer Leni Schwendinger (NightSeeing™), this tour serves as a mobile case study, revealing the specific methodologies used to enhance these historic structures. Technical discussion will explore the design-build challenges, aesthetic goals, and engineering feats required to illuminate New York’s harbor.
8:00 PM | Interactive Q&A & Continued Networking: An opportunity to discuss the presentation’s technical insights with fellow professionals against the backdrop of the city.
8:30 PM | Return to Pier 36: Disembarkation.
This is a rare opportunity to view the urban landscape as a “living lab” and learn how strategic design shapes the way we experience New York after dark. Don’t miss this chance to gain expert knowledge on the artistry and technical skill behind the iconic lighting of the RFK and Brooklyn Bridges.
Note: Due to the nature of this program and the availability of alcohol, those under 21 years of age will not be permitted to attend this event.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze Technical Challenges: Evaluate the unique engineering and logistical hurdles of installing large-scale lighting systems on historic maritime structures.
- Sustainability & Urban Impact: Discuss the role of energy-efficient design and light pollution mitigation in modern urban lighting master plans.
- Collaborative Design-Build: Explore how multidisciplinary teams (engineers, designers, and city agencies) collaborate to execute iconic public infrastructure projects.
- Visual Literacy: Develop the ability to “read” the nighttime city, understanding how light shapes public safety, navigation, and architectural identity.
Presentation Moderated by:
Leni Schwendinger, Creative Director, Leni Schwendinger Light Projects
Leni Schwendinger is a world-renowned “lighting urbanist” and founder of NightSeeing™, specializing in the intersection of architectural lighting, engineering, and public space. Formerly the Global Urban Lighting Leader at Arup, Leni has transformed infrastructure into public art through iconic projects like the Coney Island Parachute Jump and the NYC Subway’s Enhanced Design Initiative. A former Visiting Research Fellow at the London School of Economics, she advocates for “after-dark placemaking” to create vibrant, sustainable cities. Leni’s work emphasizes visual literacy and collaborative design-build strategies to define the nighttime identity of global urban landscapes.
Jacqueline Bascetta, Project Director at Pullman Services
Jacqueline is currently managing the exterior restoration of the Main Immigration Building on Ellis Island. Other projects that Jacqueline has managed include the award-winning masonry restoration of the Brooklyn Bridge (towers and approaches), Tammany Hall in Union Square, several historic buildings on Governor’s Island and the W Hotel-Union Square. A native New Yorker, Jacqueline Bascetta graduated with a dual bachelor’s degree in physics and religious studies from Duke University in 2012 and a Master of Science degree in Conservation of Historic Buildings from the University of Bath in 2014.
Romolo DeSantis, P.E., SVP, Program Executive, and Chief Engineer MTA Construction & Development’s Bridges & Tunnels Business Unit
Romolo DeSantis, P.E., serves as SVP, Program Executive, and Chief Engineer for MTA Construction & Development’s Bridges & Tunnels Business Unit. He oversees the planning, design, and construction of capital and major maintenance projects across nine critical New York area crossings, leading a 168‑member engineering and construction team. With more than 20 years at MTA Bridges & Tunnels and experience in both public and private sectors, he has guided major initiatives including Superstorm Sandy recovery, the Open Road Tolling program, and delivered the infrastructure for the Central Business District Tolling Program. He is a licensed Professional Engineer with degrees in Civil Engineering and Management from Polytechnic University.
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