One of my favorite projects to date, the House of Speed is located in the heart of Downtown Joplin on historic Route 66. They wanted a large neon sign that honored the area’s historic character. This project spanned nearly two years, including working closely with the city to revise signage ordinances. After receiving city approval in July, the sign was installed by October, bringing the vision to life in the historic district.
Key Contribution
- Sign Design
- Advocating for City Code Changes
- Estimating
- Materials / Product Procurement
- Project Management
- Installation Help
Sign Design
The House of Speed neon sign was designed to reflect the historic character of Downtown Joplin and its location on Route 66. The concept combined vintage-inspired typography with vibrant neon colors to create a bold, eye-catching design that honored the area’s heritage. Special attention was given to scale, visibility, and craftsmanship to ensure the sign complemented the historic district while standing out as a modern landmark.
Installation
Given how long this project had been in the works, I HAD to be involved in the installation process. The installation required removing all the neon, hoisting the sign to the building, drilling through the wall to secure it from the inside, and then reinstalling and wiring the neon. Finally, we flipped the switch to bring the long-awaited sign to life!
Completion Photos
