Merriweather District
The Merriweather District is a vibrant mixed-use community on 68 acres in Columbia, Maryland, adjacent to the famed Merriweather Post Pavilion, consistently ranked one of the best outdoor amphitheaters in the country.
The Challenge
The team was enlisted to create and implement the wayfinding and identity signage for the district.
The team was provided with preliminary signage programming and placeholder sign elements that were intended to be redesigned. These were done in advance to provide “placeholders” for the entitlement process. However, this also provided the team with a fairly constrained set of parameters to design within.
Project Vision
To idea was to design bold signs for a new district that are befitting of the vibrant identity and brand messaging.
The team’s goal was to keep the signage on-brand, not only visually but also in spirit, by building upon the guiding principle & rallying cry of the new district — Grow Boldly, initially inspired by the region’s visionary founder, James Rouse.
Patrick Ross Photography
Illuminated letters feature a luminescent paint. The resulting effect appears solid during the day, while at night, the faces of the letters glow a soft yellow.
Ashton Design
The letters appear as a solid, almost ”molded,” one color sculpture during the day, while at night, the faces of the letters glow a soft yellow.
Patrick Ross Photography
Pedestrian directional signs also feature the center ”window” void inspired by the project logo.
Ashton Design
Sign details
Design & Execution
The “Perspective” sign concept was inspired by the “window” portion of the Merriweather logo. This void between the Merriweather text and District text was inspired by the shape of the central Color Burst Park and serves as a dynamic visual vehicle for photography, illustration and brand messaging.
The team wanted to replicate the dynamic morphing of the logo window within the vertical identity signs in the way that would conceal and then reveal the surrounding environment as the visitor walks past.
Illuminated letters on the two main signs feature a luminescent paint—a bright yellow color called “Estrellita“ (little star). The resulting effect appears as a solid, almost “molded,” one color sculpture during the day, while at night, the faces of the letters glow a soft yellow.
The final designs reflect the strong Merriweather brand through bold, sculptural and iconic signage that gives the district its distinct feel.
Ashton Design
Minimal vehicular directional sign.
Patrick Ross Photography
Digital directory and vehicular directional signs.
Ashton Design
Custom crosswalks with a fitting use of the logo.
Slideshow
Merriweather District
Patrick Ross Photography
Our “Perspective” sign concept was inspired by the “window” portion of the Merriweather logo. By mimicking the center void, the sign reveals the surrounding environment as you walk past.
Patrick Ross Photography
Illuminated letters feature a luminescent paint. The resulting effect appears solid during the day, while at night, the faces of the letters glow a soft yellow.
Ashton Design
The letters appear as a solid, almost ”molded,” one color sculpture during the day, while at night, the faces of the letters glow a soft yellow.
Patrick Ross Photography
Pedestrian directional signs also feature the center ”window” void inspired by the project logo.
Ashton Design
Sign details
Ashton Design
Minimal vehicular directional sign.
Patrick Ross Photography
Digital directory and vehicular directional signs.
Ashton Design
Custom crosswalks with a fitting use of the logo.