THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS
SparkHaus
WHAT WE DID
Art Installations, Environmental, Signage, Wayfinding, Photo, and Video
FABRICATION SUPPORT:
GRAINWELL, WILD STYLE SIGNS, & NEONWORKS OF CINCINNATI
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SparkHaus is an entrepreneurial hub designed to bring together founders, creators, and innovators shaping what’s next. The space serves as a collaborative environment where early-stage ideas gain traction and bold ventures take form.
Durham partnered with SparkHaus to create a series of art installations, wayfinding, and signage that capture the energy and optimism of the SparkHaus community. Drawing inspiration from the spirit of entrepreneurship, the artwork translates abstract ideas of momentum, connection, and possibility into bold visual expressions that activate the space.
The resulting work transforms SparkHaus into more than a workspace; it becomes a visual reflection of the ambition, creativity, and drive that define the people within it.
HONORING THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS
From the moment you step through the front entrance, your eye is drawn to a striking activation that doubles as a placemaking and wayfinding opportunity. At the heart of the design is a bold, dimensional acrylic crop of a spark shape that references the SparkHaus identity, layered over a hand-painted, statuesque figure holding a torch; a tribute to the building’s storied history and the enduring spirit of progress.
THE COVINGTON INDUSTRIAL CLUB
Highlighting the SparkHaus grounds as the original site of the Covington Industrial Club, this wall honors the 1911 gathering of entrepreneurs who came together to advance the city’s industry and shape its future success. This is where the first Northern Kentucky Chamber met.
EXTERIOR SIGNAGE
Previously identifying Sim’s Furniture, the restored exterior sign now marks a new history. It’s been recast in the SparkHaus palette and illuminated by neon glow, returning it to a vibrant and visible landmark on 8th & Madison.
MONTGOMERY WARD
As you descend into the basement, the Montgomery Ward feature wall greets you with a vivid nod to the building’s first tenant. This lively triptych reimagines historic catalogs, showcasing items that once filled these very rooms, while layered typography from an old mailer—painted across both wall and frames—adds texture and depth. Beyond decoration, the installation tells a story of Covington’s rich history of commerce and community.
LUDLOW LAGOON
In the basement classroom, the Ludlow Lagoon Amusement Park wall brings a forgotten chapter of local history to life. The wall features a collection of curated and custom-framed ephemera including vintage tickets, postcards, and photographs that invite visitors to rediscover the park that once filled the community with laughter and play.
RALPH AND CAROL ANN HAILE MURAL
In the building’s shared workspace, Durham collaged a mural from found photography, illustration, and storytelling to honor two local visionaries: Ralph Haile, whose legacy as a community banker shaped Covington, and his wife, Carol Ann. Together, the pair shared a commitment to breathing new life into the city’s core.
THE HUDDLE ROOM
A featured accent in the building’s open huddle space, this wall activation draws from the textures and graphics of the building’s past, told through the defining container shape of SparkHaus’ exterior windows. Containing vintage photography of the building, graphic vignettes from Montgomery Ward magazines, and a mark of the Covington Industrial Club, this wall is a textured tribute to the building’s past.
PULL UP A CHAIR AND LET’S CHAT, SHALL WE?