A challenging and unique historical signage project designed to enhance, reflect, and capture the outstanding beauty of this magnificent building while helping visitors engage with its rich history.
Collaborating with heritage planners Imagemakers and Gloucester Cathedral on this historical signage project, our challenge was to deliver a sympathetic solution that would reflect the outstanding beauty of this magnificent building. Working to high expectations for the project’s commission, many challenges were anticipated. However, some were less obvious and required a creative, problem-solving approach along with meticulous craftsmanship.
One of the most intricate challenges involved profile templating for reproducing printed glass panels in the alcoves on either side of the porch entrance. While the alcoves appeared identical, they differed significantly when working with such tight tolerances. A manual process proved to be the only way to ensure accuracy. We created a drawn template, which was scanned to generate vector lines, then imported into our software for machine cutting. After five or six test fits, we ensured everything was perfectly aligned to meet the customer’s exacting standards.
Among the more visible challenges was the bespoke finger post system, with its unique coil design proving to be a real “head-scratcher.” Manufactured entirely from marine-grade 316 stainless steel, the flat plate was carefully bent around a solid cylinder before being welded to a collar that holds the finger on the pole. We then meticulously sanded, ground, and blended the fingers to ensure seamless joints between the collar and the finger. Once completed, we bonded individual stainless steel text to both faces of each finger and painted the entire system to match the historical colour scheme.
Arguably, the most eye-catching solution involved the stone cubes placed prominently in front of the cathedral. Text and graphics were carefully cut from a rubber mask, applied to the stones, and then sandblasted to create a deeply engraved effect. This work was completed on-site using our mobile sandblast unit. After sandblasting, the detailed engravings were carefully filled with heritage coloured resins to add depth and definition.
We delivered each solution with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the project, from the glass panels to the stone cubes, met our exacting standards. The results were not only visually stunning but also functional, offering a perfect balance of creativity and practicality. Our hands-on approach and expert craftsmanship ensured that every element was flawlessly executed.
The project stands as a testament to our ability to deliver high-quality, bespoke solutions for complex briefs. The end result is a striking combination of design and function. The historically sympathetic signage echoes the beauty and significance of the Cathedral building and grounds. It also engages visitors with its story and historical legacy.
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