Complex continuous run vs easier single junction boxes
It seems the heart of your question is topology. &quot;Bus&quot; topology is what you have for your outlets, in which power comes from the distribution panel to one outlet, then to the next, and so on like a chain. &quot;Star&quot; topology is one in which power comes from the distribution panel to a central point and then branches out in multiple directions. It sounds like this is what you're entertaining for the lighting.
Both bus and star are acceptable. Wire sizing, demand calculations, and so on are the same regardless of the topology.
As for the junction box at the heart of the star topology: it needs to be in an accessible place, and it needs to be sized appropriately to contain the wires.
&quot;Accessible&quot; means it can be reached without removing any part of the building. Drop-in ceiling tiles seem to be accepted as &quot;accessible&quot; virtually everywhere, so if you make the junction in a box (don't forget the cover) and put it above a drop-tile ceiling that'll be fine.
Junction box sizing is determined with an exercise called &quot;box fill calculation.&quot; It considers the number and gauge of conductors being joined or merely passing through, any devices like switches or outlets also in the box, etc. Boxes are marked with their cubic inch volume; the box fill calculation tells you the minimum number of cubic inches needed.