Joel Bergner for The Devon

When Hines sought a defining exterior feature for The Devon, their luxury multifamily development at Hyattsville Crossing, they needed more than a large-scale mural. They needed a work that could credibly connect a new development to an established community with a distinct architectural identity and an active arts scene. WXLLSPACE sourced D.C.-based artist Joel Bergner, managed a collaborative concept pivot from figurative to abstract, coordinated a two-week boom lift installation on a five-story concrete facade near an active Metro station, and delivered a final high-resolution media package for Hines' leasing and marketing program. The result is "Unity in Orbit," a commissioned exterior mural that translates Hyattsville's iconic local landmarks into a cosmic abstract composition, now serving as the primary visual anchor for The Devon's brand identity and the first major mural on the Route 1 corridor.

Hyattsville has a recognized creative identity. The neighborhood's architectural landmarks, including the "flying saucer" silhouette of the Hyattsville Public Library and the nearby 9 Pond feature, give the area a distinct visual character that a new development had to acknowledge rather than ignore. For Hines, the risk was straightforward: without a credible connection to that identity, The Devon would read as a generic urban-suburban product in a market where residents had existing community ties and high expectations.Key challenges included:Establishing a placemaking anchor that reflected Hyattsville's specific architectural and cultural history, not a generic mural program applied from outside the communitySourcing an artist with both local relevance and the professional capability to execute at five-story exterior scale within a compressed two-week windowManaging a significant concept shift: the selected artist's established style required a departure toward a fully abstract, cosmic composition to satisfy Hines' aesthetic brief, requiring a structured revision process before the install window could openCoordinating a boom lift installation on a high-visibility facade near the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station, with restricted sidewalk access and high pedestrian traffic throughout the install periodDelivering a complete, media-ready installation aligned with Hines' Q4 2024 leasing launch for 320 luxury residences

Schedule:The install window was sequenced to align with The Devon's Q4 2024 leasing launch and grand opening. The mid-Atlantic autumn weather window compressed the available production period to approximately 14 days. The installation could not carry into winter.Brand and creative requirements:Hines required a bespoke composition reflecting sustainability and local architectural history. The brief called for a purely abstract approach, representing a deliberate departure from Joel Bergner's signature figurative and portraiture style. The concept revision process was managed before production began to ensure stakeholder alignment on the final direction.Safety:High-altitude work across a five-story concrete facade required strict lift safety protocols, harness tie-off compliance throughout elevated work periods, and boom lift certification documentation managed in advance through the WXLLSPACE platform.Access:Boom lift staging near the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station required coordination around restricted street and sidewalk access in a transit-adjacent, pedestrian-heavy zone. On-site logistics were facilitated in coordination with Harkins Builders and Hines property management.Weather and seasonality:Mid-Atlantic late autumn conditions in Q4 2024 introduced real risk of weather disruption during the install window. The two-week production schedule was managed with limited flexibility for delays.Budget:The project was delivered within the Hines U.S. Direct Investments (HUSDI) fund allocation. No pricing figures are included in this case study.

Scope intake and site identificationWXLLSPACE worked with the Hines team to identify the highest-visibility exterior facade at The Devon as the primary artistic statement for the development. The selected wall offered direct sightlines from the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station and significant pedestrian exposure along the Route 1 corridor.Artist sourcingJoel Bergner was selected through the WXLLSPACE platform based on three criteria: his D.C.-area base and connection to the regional arts community, his large-scale exterior execution track record, and his professional capacity to take on a commission Hines described as a career milestone installation. Local relevance and scale credibility were both non-negotiable requirements for this project.Concept development and pivotInitial concept sessions established the thematic framework for the commission: a site-specific abstract composition drawing on Hyattsville's iconic architectural references. The nine circles in the final design reference the nearby 9 Pond landmark. The cosmic shapes reference the flying saucer silhouette of the Hyattsville Public Library. The overall composition was titled "Unity in Orbit." WXLLSPACE managed the collaborative pivot from Bergner's typical figurative approach to the abstract direction required by Hines, with structured stakeholder reviews with Caroline Lehman and Moira Dhaliwal ensuring alignment before production began.Compliance and documentationWXLLSPACE managed the full compliance package through its platform: certificate of insurance, safety plan submission, and boom lift certification. These were handled as part of the standard project scope, removing the administrative burden from the Hines team.Production planningWXLLSPACE sequenced the install window within Hines' Q4 2024 leasing launch timeline, building the two-week production schedule around mid-Atlantic autumn weather conditions and the site's transit-adjacent access constraints.Installation: 14-day window, Q4 2024Joel Bergner served as the sole artist on site. Daily working hours ran from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM across the 14-day install window. Application used a professional-grade spray paint system throughout. On-site coordination was facilitated between WXLLSPACE, Hines property management, and Harkins Builders. On-site progress photography was captured throughout the installation. A final drone capture was conducted upon completion.CloseoutWXLLSPACE delivered a final high-resolution media package to Hines, supporting the property's marketing and leasing program, including the dedicated "Art" landing page on thedevonmd.com.

Location: The Devon, Hyattsville Crossing, Hyattsville, MD (near Route 1 corridor)Install window: 14 days, Q4 2024 (specific start and end dates Unknown)Crew: Joel Bergner (solo artist)On-site developer contacts: Caroline Lehman, Director; Moira Dhaliwal, Director, HinesGeneral contractor contact: Harkins BuildersTotal mural size: UnknownWall location: Exterior facade, prominent building sideSurface type: Concrete facadeWall height: Five storiesAccess equipment: Boom liftApplication: Professional-grade spray paint systemDaily working hours: Approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMTitle: "Unity in Orbit"Style: Abstract and cosmic; nine circles referencing the 9 Pond landmark; cosmic shapes referencing Hyattsville Public Library architecturePost-install documentation: On-site progress photography and final drone capture; high-resolution media package delivered to HinesLighting: Unknown

Schedule:The install window was sequenced to align with The Devon's Q4 2024 leasing launch and grand opening. The mid-Atlantic autumn weather window compressed the available production period to approximately 14 days. The installation could not carry into winter.Brand and creative requirements:Hines required a bespoke composition reflecting sustainability and local architectural history. The brief called for a purely abstract approach, representing a deliberate departure from Joel Bergner's signature figurative and portraiture style. The concept revision process was managed before production began to ensure stakeholder alignment on the final direction.Safety:High-altitude work across a five-story concrete facade required strict lift safety protocols, harness tie-off compliance throughout elevated work periods, and boom lift certification documentation managed in advance through the WXLLSPACE platform.Access:Boom lift staging near the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station required coordination around restricted street and sidewalk access in a transit-adjacent, pedestrian-heavy zone. On-site logistics were facilitated in coordination with Harkins Builders and Hines property management.Weather and seasonality:Mid-Atlantic late autumn conditions in Q4 2024 introduced real risk of weather disruption during the install window. The two-week production schedule was managed with limited flexibility for delays.Budget:The project was delivered within the Hines U.S. Direct Investments (HUSDI) fund allocation. No pricing figures are included in this case study.