The challenge
The initial architectural and landscape plans presented challenges, including a design that didn't fully align with the old, rusty steel building's aesthetic and potential harm to a large, existing tree root system where a sidewalk was planned. The team went beyond standard landscape services, handling gas lines, electric lines, drainage, grading, and building a platform deck for the HVAC system.
The results
The completed project features 17,000 square feet of outdoor space with multiple fire pits, an amphitheater for live music, and a 20-foot outdoor LED TV. Monday Night co-founder and CEO Joel Iverson notes that the space "doesn't feel like something that's typical in Atlanta." It makes people feel at home, like it's their own backyard. Repeat customers visit multiple times a week, bringing their own chairs and blankets, and showing a deep engagement with the space.
Material selection
Corten steel retaining walls and light posts were recommended to complement the existing steel building – an homage to the original site and the city's use of steel plates in its roads
Functional design
The team strategically placed large boulders and graded the land to create a natural, park-like feel that encourages people to sit and interact with the space.
Tree preservation
Instead of cutting into a large tree root for a sidewalk, AFG proposed covering the area with thick steel plates, preserving the tree while maintaining a functional path.
