We collaborated with Emersion Design and the City of Cincinnati on this community project. We were tasked with designing the interior and exterior public art installations. The installations needed to highlight each neighborhood represented by Cincinnati’s District 3 Police Station.

We kicked off the project by initiating a series of public art workshops with representatives from each of the District’s 14 neighborhoods. Each representative helped guide us on defining characteristics of their neighborhood. Then, we developed a series of features to celebrate each neighborhood. The designs celebrated individuality while showing unity and pride for the District.

A series of 14 columns, one for each neighborhood, was part of the original Emersion architectural design. They are different sizes and heights but all combine to form an entry promenade to the new station. Each column represents a different neighborhood with information printed on clear acyrlic. Programmable, colored LEDs literally shine a light on each neighborhood creating an impressive entry to the station.

Inside, we designed a custom, solid-surface map that serves as the entry focal point to the station. The map acts as both a wall sculpture and a functional map that shows each neighborhood. We exaggerated topographical information to illustrate how geographical features define most of the neighborhood boundaries. The bas-relief feature also depicts color-coded locations of important neighborhood buildings and parks. Throughout the building, a series of 14 frosted glass panels depict iconic architecture around the district.

Together, these installations work to celebrate the diversity, values, and uniqueness of the District 3 constituents. The designs celebrate each unique neighborhood and reinforce the sense of community that is strong in this district.

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