Environmental Graphic Design
University of Maryland
Yahentamitsi Dining Hall Recognition Graphics
2023
Role: Lead Designer
The Yahentamitsi Dining Hall recognizes and honors the Indigenous Peoples of the Piscataway-Conoy Tribe, upon whose land the University of Maryland sits. The word ‘Yahentamitsi’ means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.
In collaboration with the Piscataway-Conoy elders, I developed a design solution that weaves throughout the entire facility, offering both tid-bits of knowledge and a comprehensive history, through authentic perspectives, voices and artwork.
In addition to leading the design effort, I also produced all construction drawing sets and communicated with fabricators throughout the construction process, and oversaw final installation.
Completed while working at Ayers Saint Gross.
The entrance of the Dining Hall displays a large map of local waterways – providing trade routes to the Piscataway people for over 13,000 years and locating the 16 tribes of the Piscataway Confederacy. Next, you are met with the legend of the shad fish – original artwork by a Piscataway artist.
A comprehensive timeline extends one’s experience to the lower level of the building. A highlight of the timeline is a photographic display of Wampum Belts. Originally proposed as a collection of written treaties, the Elders of the Piscataway-Conoy tribe conveyed the significance of beaded belts as a marker of historic moments.
