Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
HEAPY collaborated with a diverse group of government, community, and project team stakeholders to design the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems for the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. The $8 million interactive tourist attraction is located in The Banks mixed-use sport, entertainment, and business district on the south side of the Andrew J. Brady Music Center. The project included a $15 million parking garage expansion directly underneath the Walk of Fame outdoor exhibit.
The outdoor attraction is intended to showcase Black musical contributions in an experiential and interactive way. Visitors walk through a half-acre site that features stars embedded in the pavement to highlight artists, as well as multiple audio/visual exhibits that invite engagement and participation. For example, a large screen with a built-in camera allows visitors to become avatars in a “live band” on screen using augmented reality. Another exhibit uses a drum set connected to a nearby fountain that changes water flow and lighting colors with vibrations. The project site also features towering lighting configurations that allow for maximum flexibility and creativity with full spectrum, color-changing LEDs.
The project required that all electrical and technology pathways, as well as conduits, were embedded in solid granite. This left very little room for error and required exceptional coordination with multiple disciplines to ensure accurate and functional design.
