Background:

AAA Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit organization serving members in a large and heavily populated area that includes Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C.. and parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Headquarters offices recently relocated from Philadelphia to an attractive riverfront site in Wilmington. The new facility houses the administrative offices as well as the travel services department.

Challenges:

• Create a relevant central focus for the large lobby.
• Display AAA’s extensive collection of memorabilia.
• Select fine art for installation in other parts of the building, particularly the executive suite area.

Results:

Initially there were discussions of simply creating a “history wall” of memorabilia. However, we felt that something more compelling was needed to enliven the lobby space and give it a unique identity. That requirement was met (and then some) with the creation of a large sculpture mounted on the mezzanine projection.

Symbolically, the sculpture pays homage to the good old days of the Great American Road. The artists used old car parts and new constructions (some fabricated from elements of strange origin) to give form to their vision, which they named “Thunderbird.” Its composite of colors and textures not only enlivens the space, its overall form assertively amplifies the AAA Mid-Atlantic identity.

The memorabilia collection is displayed below the mezzanine and in the second floor conference center in a series of custom-fabricated display cases maintained under archival conditions. The cabinetmaker, Kevin Strickland, also created narrower cases to house AAA’s medallion collection. Installed in the lobby and in other key locations, the collection offers a nostalgic tour of AAA and other AA emblems from around the world.