Permanent signage for the property development sector – internal and external wayfinding signage for this high-end, luxury development in Marylebone
The Brief
Regent’s Crescent in Marylebone was originally built in 1820 for the Prince Regent, later George IV. Designed by architect John Nash, it boasts grand proportions and a sweeping façade and is one of London’s great historical landmarks. The Grade I listed development consists of 67 apartment residences and nine garden villas, with interior design by Millier. Reade Signs won a competitive tender to manufacturer and install the internal and external wayfinding signs at Park Crescent, part of this high-end luxury development.
The Solution
The process began six months prior to installation, following acceptance of The Velvet Principle’s designs and our production costs. We worked in collaboration with the client team, which included a wayfinding consultant, architect, developer and designer.
We start every large architectural project by producing a detailed schedule. This is used as a working document to reflect the changes to specification that occur during site surveys, meetings or in email dialogue. In our schedule, every sign is assigned a unique code, which can be cross-referenced with sign location plans. The document gives our clients piece of mind that we fully understand the design intent and we communicate this detail to all members of our design, manufacturing and installation teams.
Alongside scheduling, we manufactured samples of each different sign type to provide a benchmark for agreed quality standards. Once samples and schedules were approved, we could commence manufacture and installation planning.
The specification was for high-end materials to match those used throughout the fit-out. Each laser cut letter needed an antique brass finish to give the right patination and some of the signs were powder coated in a dark bronze. A jewellery-like quality was specified, so we hand-finished and polished each letter and number to achieve a burnished effect.
During the installation process, we agreed the exact location for each sign with the architect. Some of these needed to be changed and fixings adapted due to textured wall finishing. We also sourced specialist tapes, which is an essential part of working in a listed building, since you can’t drill into the walls.
We completed the installation of this permanent signage in phases to coordinate with the construction milestones. Although this was a complex project, it went very smoothly from start to finish.
The team at Reade Signs were really easy to work with throughout and kept closely to the design intent to echo the craftsmanship and quality of the overall interior design from the outset. To match the high standards of this luxury development meant that hundreds of individual sign components had to be hand finished and polished. The internal and external wayfinding signs were manufactured and installed very efficiently, dovetailing with the main contractor’s delivery programme.
Sean Brereton, Creative Director, The Velvet Principle
The team has been really supportive and achieved the design intent we were aiming for. The finishes are really good which, along with the design, make the final product great!
Valeria Doro, Associate Architect, Millier