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Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking - Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners

Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking

Waterville, ME
Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Beyer Blinder Belle, Colby Signage Lantern 1, October 22, 2024
Distinctive new signage and placemaking elements create a clear, welcoming identity for the Colby Museum of Art, strengthening its visibility along Mayflower Hill Drive and clarifying the visitor approach sequence.

Colby College Museum of Art came to LVCK—A Beyer Blinder Belle Studio with a need to improve its visibility from the street and the desire to invite engagement with students and visitors. The museum sought to expand beyond its established branding to create an eye-catching, unique installation reflective of its world-class collection and artist relationships alongside its roots in local community and Maine culture.

LVCK met this multifaceted assignment with a series of illuminated, sculptural frame structures that function as poster displays punctuating the pathways across the Museum’s front lawn and leading up to its two entrances. The poster content is programmed to cover a range of the Museum’s messaging and designed to be a mix of evergreen and changeable content.

Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Beyer Blinder Belle, Colby Signage Lantern 2, October 22, 2024
Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Colby Signage Lantern03 Graphics03
Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Beyer Blinder Belle, Colby Signage Lantern 4, October 22, 2024
Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Beyer Blinder Belle, Colby Signage Lantern 8, October 22, 2024

The illumination turns the frames into “lanterns” at night, and makes the Museum’s front pathway safer and more appealing for students after dark. The placemaking is further supported by a monument sign reinforcing the Museum’s location to vehicular traffic.

Colby Museum of Art Exterior Placemaking: Beyer Blinder Belle, Colby Signage Lantern 1, October 22, 2024

Project Credits

BBB Team
Lily Feinberg
Christopher King
Laura Varacchi
Signage Fabrication
Bluebird Graphic Solutions
Photography
Lisa Abitol