Complex interactions between diverse cell populations influence processes ranging from cell division to programmed cell death. Replicating this complexity with reproducibility remains challenging. We introduce an innovative approach that combines DNA-mediated interactions with photolithography to achieve controlled cell–cell interactions. By coating cells with DNA sequences responsive to light, we enable meticulous spatial organization through light activation, facilitating rapid and programmable construction of intricate cell structures. This method not only addresses the challenges of orchestrating cell arrangements in vitro, particularly in three-dimensional settings but also offers a new avenue for the on-demand creation of complex cellular architectures.