Approximately 7 feet past the window is a large
single plane of wood with windows cut
into it. The 7 x 11 foot plane of wood is actually two layers of wood
with a ~1" air gap where xmas lights are mounted to light up the inside.
The front plane is thin (1/8") and has the 1540 windows cut into it
while the back plane of wood is 1/2" sheets of plywood. The xmas lights
(about 700 lights) are mounted behind the front plane so that the light
bounces off of the plywood (back plane) to scatter the light so that
pinpoints of light are not visible. The models of the Empire State and
Chrysler buildings consist of multiple layers in order to simulate the
effect of having lights shining on their own roofs.Most of the display is painted in light grey latex paint for both weather-proofing and tinting of the light coming from the inside. However the front is painted dark grey to make it blend into the night sky above.