Andrea developed a wayfinding system for the Upham’s Corner neighbourhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Andrea worked with city planners and architects as part of a major redevelopment of the district. Upham's Corner includes one of the city's main business districts where many new restaurants have opened. A major landmark of the neighbourhood is the Strand Theatre. Built in 1918, the Strand Theatre is Upham’s Corner’s refurbished cultural center. The project addressed concerns the community had of giving their neighbourhood an identity, helping people find their way to the theatre during the day and on show nights, highlighting parking lots, locating the train station and directing traffic flow through a busy intersection. The project required research into the history of the community, building materials, sign fabrication, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, traffic flow and regular meetings with residents in the community. The sign forms reflect the aesthetic of the historic Strand Theatre as do the colours and font which reference the theatre’s art deco roots. The design combines stencil cut metal graphics, raised metal symbols and lettering as well as baked enamel letters and colours on steel panels. Keeping functionality as an equally important aspect, the signs are designed in pieces so symbols and text can be updated or replaced as needed.
a view of the neighbourhood landmark, the Strand Theatre
detail of the Strand Theatre half-moon window
the Strand Theatre marquee
interior details
primary directional and welcome sign
secondary directional signs applied to existing lamp posts
map of the area with locations of signs