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Span Chicago Graphic Design Railyard 1

Railyard

Client
City of Rogers, Arkansas
Ross Barney Architects
Community
Civic
Architecture
Services
Branding
Environmental Signage
Credits

Rick Valicenti
Design Direction, Naming

John Pobojewski
Design Direction, Design

Bud Rodecker
Design

Suzie Shin
Design

Leah Wendzinski
Design

Anna Mort
Design

Zach Minnich
Design

Also

Architecture by Ross Barney Architects

Published in Metropolis Magazine, 1 June 2021

Winner of Fast Company Innovation by Design Award, 2022

Designed while at Thirst

Ross Barney Architects, led by Carol Ross Barney, invited us to name, brand, and design signage for a new park in the heart of downtown Rogers, Arkansas. Once the site of Frisco rail line, Thirst’s Rick Valicenti named the park 'Railyard' and provided a modern icon inspired by the original Frisco Rail 'pelt' drawn in 1904.

Railyard will be the new cultural epicenter of downtown Rogers — already home to a long-standing Farmers Market and the vibrant summer arts Frisco Festival. Ross Barney Architects adds more program within the park with a new performing arts stage, children's play park, commemorative plaza, and water fountain.

The holistic signage program, led by John Pobojewski and Bud Rodecker, brings distinct typographic expressions for each new space as well as a design vernacular connected to the history of rail.

Construction of the logo

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Unique typographic expressions were created for each programmatic space, inspired by the twists and turns of rail track

Pelt Sculpture | Railyard

The pelt was placed as an 8 foot tall Corten steel sculpture

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A collection of flags welcomes visitors to each space within the park

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Vertical wayfinding take their cue from historic train signage

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Custom zero mile marker and bike/ped counter

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The Butterfield Stage is identified by a perforated disk of illuminated acrylic rods

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Restrooms mural

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The PLAYARD features low concrete pylons/letters which are sized perfectly for seating or climbing.

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Street banners and a retrofitted billboard bring the Railyard identity out into the surrounding community.