NEON DISTRICT WAYFINDING

Owner

City of Norfolk

Location

Norfolk, Virginia

Size

District Wide

Completion Date

Phase I: 2017

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

It used to feel like the eastern boundary of Downtown Norfolk stopped at busy Brambleton Avenue. No more. The up-and-coming NEON District (New Energy of Norfolk) is just beyond, drawing attention to a vibrant arts scene. The district connects to Norfolk’s gem, The Chrysler Museum of Art.

Announcing all of this to residents and visitors is a helpful branded wayfinding system. A revolving, illuminated cube sits atop a white saucer structure that used to hold a Greyhound Bus sign at the corner of Brambleton and Granby Street. In the heart of the district, home to the Hurrah Players, the PUSH Comedy Club and artist studios, are elegant guideposts providing district directionals and parking information. The centerpiece is 200 6-inch colored glass discs made by artists at the Chrysler’s Perry Glass Studio. Called “bread crumbs” and contained in slip-resistant molds, they mark the path along the sidewalks on Grace Street and Olney Road, from the Museum to the arts district. 

Work Program Architects worked with Sway Creative Labs to facilitate planning and design of the wayfinding system. The first phase of work was completed in time for the international Glass Society conference, hosted in Norfolk in 2017.