Sign of the future

CLEAR AND effective signage is essential for a development that covers 24 hectares and includes the largest retail and entertainment centre in the country.

Corada won the contract to manufacture and install all branding and directional signage throughout Sylvia Park. In the initial stages of the project, Corada worked closely with main contractor Multiplex and the Sylvia Park Architects' design team to interpret the sketch designs and ensure they were buildable.

Warwick Lowis, Auckland operations manager for Corada, says the design team was looking for visual simplicity, with signs that were sculptural and related to the shapes and forms of the buildings.

"However, to achieve that simplicity required a lot of complex engineering," he says.

Pylons 10 and 15 metres high are located around the periphery of the site, and emblazoned with the name of the centre in neon. To further draw attention to Sylvia Park, these pylons are illuminated internally at night. To create the required effect, Corada designed the pylons with perforations cut into the aluminium panels. These perforations, which increase in size from the base to the top, were then bent inwards and painted white, giving the pylons a soft, blue glow at night.

Other key signs in Sylvia Park are the finger signs on traffic islands that direct shoppers around the centre. Manufactured from 20mm sheet steel, they have a slim and simple-looking blade that is strong enough to withstand the wind.

"Another challenge with such a large project was to co-ordinate installation on such a complex building site. Within this framework, we completed our work on time and within budget," says Lowis.

Corada undertakes branding and signage projects of all sizes, providing a nationwide design, installation and maintenance service. The company is the incumbent signage contractor for Sky City Auckland.

For more information, contact Corada 2001, Auckland: phone (09) 480 0805, fax (09) 480 0205; Wellington: phone (04) 237 7768, fax (04) 237 7927. Email: warwickl@corada.co.nz, or visit the website: www.corada.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas