New Life to the Old Avenue

Auburn Avenue Underpass, GA

Signature Design created a beautiful mural, improved lighting, and a series of light boxes that transformed a dark, dank underpass into a vibrant pedestrian route and streetcar stop. 

Services

• Graphic Design

• Content Research 

Design Approach

Auburn Avenue is historically known as “Sweet Auburn” for its rich history in Atlanta’s African-American community dating back to the 19th century. The design team sought to transform a 170-foot, dark underpass along Auburn Avenue into a well-lit, artistic, pedestrian experience that reflects the history and culture of the neighborhood. The underpass is also a key stop on the route of a new trolley line that runs between many of Atlanta’s attractions including Olympic Park and the Martin Luther King Historic Site.

As part of the project, Signature Design participated in intensive stakeholder engagement that included neighborhood residents, business owners, church patrons, the National Park Service, and the State Historic Preservation Office. This process informed the design, which includes a beautiful wall mural, contemporary LED lighting, and a series of light boxes that represent and celebrate the cultural history of the neighborhood. The wall mural is dominated by powerful historical imagery of commerce and life on Auburn Avenue. The imagery was carefully researched and approved by neighborhood representatives making the final design representative of true community collaboration.