FortaCast Illuminates The Krog District: A New Urban Landmark on Atlanta’s Beltline

Inground lighting has the power to redefine urban spaces, and at The Krog District in Atlanta, GA, Organic Lighting’s FortaCast® is doing just that. Nestled along the bustling Beltline, this innovative lighting solution not only enhances the area’s aesthetics but also transforms an underutilized green space into a vibrant community hub, inviting families, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy its charm day and night.

The Atlanta Beltline stands as a beacon of urban renewal, weaving together neighborhoods through a comprehensive 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks, woodlands, and transit systems. The Beltline area’s improved infrastructure has attracted more visitors and boosted amenities to residents, promoting better opportunities for jobs, mobility and healthier lifestyles.

A key highlight within this network is The Krog District, a mixed-use destination straddling the Beltline Eastside Trail. Known for its historical charm with modern chic accents, this district required a sophisticated lighting solution to rejuvenate an underutilized green space, transforming it into a dynamic, multifunctional public area. The solution emerged through the innovative application of Organic Lighting’s FortaCast system, championed by design firm ASD|SKY alongside CORE, the firm’s landscape architecture division.

Transforming The Atlanta Beltline’s Krog District

Owned by retail real estate investment firm Asana Partners, The Krog District development reimagined a gravel parking lot and an old industrial building to add form and function while improving connectivity to the Beltline Eastside Trail and complementing existing historic components that are the fabric of the neighborhood – Atlanta Stove Works and Krog Street Market. The area of focus was situated within a significant overhaul of the Inman Park property and the Atlanta Stove Works building at 112 Krog Street, incorporating facade enhancements, new storefront systems and landscaping in a park area with the design spearheaded by ASD|SKY.

The initial condition of the park space next to Atlanta Stove Works was far from ideal. “When the building was originally constructed, the entire area was just turf grass with a couple of trees. The space had huge unrealized potential,” Evan Burch, architect at ASD|SKY explained. The challenge was to rejuvenate this area, making it more than just an under-used expanse of grass. The objective was clear: create a visually striking, functional space that caters to the diverse needs of the community while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the Beltline. More importantly, inground lighting was considered as something that could play a pivotal role in this transformation.

With over two million people using the Beltline annually, any inground lighting implemented in the space needed to withstand heavy pedestrian traffic as well as cyclists, scooters and skateboarders, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.

Integrating the new lighting system with the existing infrastructure required precision and adaptability. Additionally, the solution had to work seamlessly with both angular geometry and elevation change, and the system needed to be low maintenance and capable of withstanding weather elements, particularly water exposure. Evan Burch elaborated on these obstacles: “In addition to durability, a continuous light level throughout the fixture was paramount to the final design.”

The answer lay in Organic Lighting’s FortaCast system, celebrated for its robustness, versatility, and ease of installation. The FortaCast modular drive-over lighting, crafted from eco-friendly Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), met the project’s stringent requirements. FortaCast’s adaptability enabled the creation of angular, fractal geometries, mirroring the architectural nuances of the adjacent building in The Krog District. “The ability to use custom angles and fabricate lights as needed provided immense design flexibility,” noted Burch. The GFRC fixtures can withstand high traffic, requiring minimal upkeep and resisting rust and corrosion that can be a problem with metal-encased LED inground lighting.

Playful Lighting Matching Geometry of Surrounding Architecture

FortaCast’s continuous, uniform lighting enhanced the area’s aesthetic – especially during the evenings. “We aimed to create something captivating. The FortaCast fixtures were crucial to achieving that,” Burch emphasized. Featuring an IP68 rating, the inground lighting solution can endure prolonged exposure to moisture, critical for the area’s drainage design.

“The mounds in the design shed water directly over the fixtures, so it was vital they could remain wet for long periods,” said Mark Mason at CORE, who jointly led the project development.

“Our vision was to craft a playful yet functional space appealing to everyone—from families with children to joggers needing a rest. The FortaCast system’s creative flexibility and the solution’s durability were perfect for realizing our design.”

Mark Mason

The implementation process was meticulous. Beyond new pavers, wood-clad stairs and seating, the FortaCast fixtures were installed to create a continuous line of light, delineating functional areas from sculptural landforms. “We sought to merge the retail environment with the trail, blending these elements. The FortaCast fixtures highlighted these features, embodying the building’s angular motif,” Burch said. “We worked closely with Asana Partners to ensure the design met all their needs whilst adhering to the Atlanta Beltline’s development guidance. The goal was a gathering space that appealed to a wide range of users—families, runners, walkers, and those looking to rest or enjoy a meal.”

The aesthetic impact of the FortaCast lighting in The Krog District is profound, transforming the space into a visually dynamic landmark. The continuous, unbroken lines of light created by the inground lighting serve not only to illuminate but also enhance the area’s architectural features. Indeed, 10 customized corner sections of FortaCast were implemented on the project. “The sleek, linear lighting seamlessly integrates with the angular, fractal design of the space, creating a cohesive visual narrative,” explained Burch. The interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the unique geometries of the sculptural landforms, making the space inviting and intriguing.

Uniquely Engaging Landscape Lighting Design

Mark Mason reiterated the visual transformation that has been achieved, saying:

“The FortaCast lighting has turned a previously underutilized area into a captivating and comfortable environment, especially at dusk and night-time. The uniformity and quality of the light enhance the textural contrasts within the landscape, adding depth and dimension. This visual appeal draws people in, encouraging them to explore and engage with the space.”

The lighting design also plays a crucial role in creating a sense of safety and comfort, essential for an area with high foot traffic. The well-lit pathways guide visitors through the space, while the illuminated landforms provide focal points that attract attention and invite interaction. The FortaCast system’s ability to create these effects without compromising on durability or maintenance showcases its suitability for high-traffic urban areas. Indeed, the fixture is a driver-over solution and can withstand very high-pressure load bearing at over 10,000 psi.

The successful transformation of The Krog District with Organic Lighting’s FortaCast solution exemplifies innovative urban design at its finest. The innovative project turned an underutilized space into a vibrant public area, enhancing both safety and visual appeal. The collaboration between ASD|SKY, CORE, the Beltline, and Organic Lighting resulted in a sustainable, low-maintenance lighting solution that met all design and practical criteria.

“The response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive. The general public adopted it almost instantaneously, making it a significant highlight of the Beltline and a popular meeting point. I believe it will inevitably continue to be used for wayfinding. It is fascinating to see how well it’s being utilized and how it’s helping to announce The Krog District to trail users.”

Evan Burch

Specification of FortaCast on the project:

FortaCast 4in x4in with 2in lens and white finish.

Aqueon Diffuse LEDs at 4000K CCT – 1.83 W/ft 69 lm/ft

Total length, just over 179 Feet.

10 customized corners.

Learn more:

Please note FortaCast is a registered trademark.

Further details on FortaCast can be found by visiting the Organic Lighting website

For additional information on The Krog District, follow @thekrogdistrictatl or visit www.thekrogdistrict.com.

Elevating Public Spaces with Advanced Lighting – Overview of Key Technical Aspects

  Product Solution: FortaCast inground lighting, made from eco-friendly Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), designed for high traffic durability and low maintenance.

  Installation Benefits: Modular drive-over lighting system allows for easy installation and adaptability to existing infrastructure, accommodating various geometries and elevation changes

  Design Flexibility: Custom angles and fabrication options provide significant design flexibility, aligning with the architectural nuances of surrounding structures

  Performance Specifications:

• IP68 rating for moisture resistance, enabling prolonged exposure to water.
• Requires minimal upkeep and resists rust and corrosion, outperforming traditional metal-encased LEDs.
• Capable of withstanding high-pressure loads (over 10,000 psi), ideal for areas with heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

  Lighting Quality: Continuous and uniform light output enhances aesthetics while providing safe, well-lit pathways for users.

  Community Impact: Transforms underutilized green space into a dynamic public area that fosters community interaction and engagement.

  Collaboration and Design: Project developed by ASD|SKY and CORE in partnership with Asana Partners, focusing on blending lighting with the district’s historic elements and urban design.