Kier Construction appointed isGroup at the start of the £37milllion arts project to design and install the building’s external signage.
The project delivered a transformation of Chester city centre’s iconic 1930’s art deco Odeon Cinema to provide a new culture centre home to the theatre. cinema and public library.
isGroup’s role in this project Included:
isGroup worked closely with the main contractors, Kier Northern throughout the regeneration, ensuring schedules ran successfully. isGroup’s role was to design, manufacture and install exterior signage to regenerate the Grade 2 listed building.
This comprised of illuminated venue signs and traditional cinematic graphics along with the feature-lit main canopy. isGroup liaised with Storyhouse Marketing Consultants for the internal wayfinding graphics throughout the building to include wall and glazing manifestations and neon lighting for brand enhancement.
External Signage
Following a full site survey, isGroup completed both the structural design of steelwork and calculations completed in preparation for high-level sign installations.
The built up stainless steel individual letters, which measure just under a metre in height and feature white LED illumination, were the first of the signage package to go up on the tower section of the Grade 2 listed city centre building.
For ease of access for the client, isGroup arranged for the LED drivers to be mounted inside the building in a discreet enclosure box.
Using its significant expertise and network of suppliers, isGroup arranged access equipment to complete the high-level installation using a 35-tonne crane and a 23-metre access platform. This required the closure of Hunter Street and diversion of all traffic including buses.
Strengthened Branding
The project also included the installation of an illuminated lightbox along the main canopy of the building, displaying traditional cinematic information for upcoming events at Storyhouse and in the library, strengthening branding along the building.
A series of halo-illuminated Storyhouse were also installed at high level to maximise brand visibility to visitors.
Internal Wayfinding
As part of the project, isGroup also worked closely with Storyhouse design and marketing consultants to develop a modern wayfinding strategy that fit the client’s brief.
The team identified key locations throughout the building and used modern vinyl graphics to deliver the wayfinding solution. The graphics were applied to the stairwells, walkways and doors to direct visitors to the cinema and new public library, as well as to identify theatre rooms and facilities.
Adding a sense of fun, isGroup was also able to produce and install retro yellow neon illuminated lettering reading ‘Tickets’ to identify the ticket kiosks. A low voltage neon illumination was agreed to sustain an economical and cost effective solution for the client.
In 2017, isGroup was thrilled to win not just the “Illuminated Sign of the Year” for its’ work at the prestigious Storyhouse, Chester – but much to the delight of the company scooped the ultimate and most contested award “Sign of the Year”.
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