CASE STUDY
The University of Houston
High marks for campus revamp
Takeform replaces school's vast range of exterior signage—and brings all the players together
Project Details
LOCATION: Houston, TX
CONTRIBUTORS
Architect | designLAB
Design Firm | Minor Design
SERVICES >
Project Management
Site Survey
Planning
Design Support
Engineering/Fabrication
Removal/Installation
PRODUCTS >
Exterior Signage |
Signify
Custom Exterior Signage
When the University of Houston Clear Lake campus needed a total replacement of their aging exterior signage system, they knew it would be no small task. The 524-acre campus not only features more than a dozen buildings, it also includes a nature preserve. From entries and academic buildings, trails to bridges, and streets and dorms, the school had a lot on its plate.
And as they embarked on the project, the visitor and student experiences were top of mind. So were modernization, updatability, and durability in the new sign program. They turned to Takeform to make it all happen.
Project Management
This complex exterior signage system and sprawling campus required a hands-on approach. Our project manager was in continual contact with the university, overseeing all the logistics, from site survey through installation.
Site Surveys
Because of the sizable project scope, site surveys were essential. First, the initial survey identified preferred signage placement and ensured the preservation of wayfinding intent. A collaborative walk-thru then confirmed and marked the final location and position for each sign. As installation progressed, we partnered with utilities to mark their presence in proximity to each dig site.
Planning
Based on our initial site survey, Takeform developed location plans for signage and filed changes with the appropriate authorities on and off campus.
Design
To ensure a consistent brand experience for visitors, the Takeform team worked closely with the university to ensure high fidelity to the university's brand including accurate translation for the color palette. We also consulted on design issues such as signage size and layout to ensure effective wayfinding for students and visitors.
Engineering
Tight collaboration was key at every step. Our engineers collaborated with project engineers to construct sign foundations compatible with our fabrication. We also modified our approach to accommodate atypical foundation materials. Working with the University's architect, we ensured the entire system complemented the campus aesthetic, including the challenging color-match process for the sophisticated porcelain-clad signs.
Removal/Installation
Takeform managed a complicated installation timeline to keep the project progressing over many weeks. On a busy campus, thousands rely on signage every day. So, we enacted a rolling phased removal and installation to keep existing signage intact until the very moment its replacement was ready. Then, we installed the new sign before removing the old one. This kept blank spots in the system to a minimum.
Entry Monuments
Takeform created internally illuminated branded monuments for the main and secondary entrances featuring push-through logo and lettering to provide a dramatic sense of arrival, day or night.
Vehicular & Pedestrian Directionals
When it comes to fade resistance, porcelain is one of the most durable materials available for exterior signage. Its fade resistance is essential to accommodate ongoing updates over the life of the sign. The color integrity of the porcelain prevents ghost fading around lettering between such copy updates.
Pedestrian
Campus Map Signage
To help guide campus travelers on their journeys at a quick glance, these signs featured bent aluminum structures, angled for easy viewing, with embedded maps on replaceable panels.
Nature Trail Signage
Takeform created interpretive signs throughout the nature trails to highlight aspects of interest. The guiding principle: be informative yet non-disruptive to the natural experience. Nature signage included wildlife caution signs to alert explorers on their hikes. And, like the campus maps, nature signs featured bent aluminum construction and updateable embedded print panels.
Parking
With visitor, faculty, staff, and student vehicles to accommodate, it's vital to have a parking system that's easy to navigate. The parking signage system included cabinet-style parking lot IDs featuring porcelain with updatable vinyl lettering.
The system also included color-coded pole-mounted parking IDs custom mounted for each pole size. Pay station markers are carried through the color-coded system.
Vehicular Traffic Signage
To keep traffic running smoothly and ensure a favorable brand experience, Takeform replaced all traffic signage and street IDs with fresh, bright signage.
Want to transform your campus experience?
Find out why the University of Houston turned to Takeform for new exterior signage across their entire campus. From exceptional products to comprehensive project management to resourceful collaboration, Takeform knows how to make complex projects happen smoothly and quickly.
Tell your brand story: Solutions for every market
Architects & Designers | Healthcare | Education | Corporate | Libraries | Senior Living | Government
CASE STUDY
The University of Houston
High marks for campus revamp
Takeform replaces school's vast range of exterior signage—and brings all the players together
Project Details
LOCATION: Houston, TX
CONTRIBUTORS
Architect | designLAB
Design Firm | Minor Design
SERVICES
Project Management
Site Survey
Planning
Design Support
Engineering/Fabrication
Removal/Installation
PRODUCTS
Exterior Signage |
Signify
Custom Exterior Signage
When the University of Houston Clear Lake campus needed a total replacement of their aging exterior signage system, they knew it would be no small task. The 524-acre campus not only features more than a dozen buildings, it also includes a nature preserve. From entries and academic buildings, trails to bridges, and streets and dorms, the school had a lot on its plate.
And as they embarked on the project, the visitor and student experiences were top of mind. So were modernization, updatability, and durability in the new sign program. They turned to Takeform to make it all happen.
Project Management
This complex exterior signage system and sprawling campus required a hands-on approach. Our project manager was in continual contact with the university, overseeing all the logistics, from site survey through installation.
Site Surveys
Because of the sizable project scope, site surveys were essential. First, the initial survey identified preferred signage placement and ensured the preservation of wayfinding intent. A collaborative walk-thru then confirmed and marked the final location and position for each sign. As installation progressed, we partnered with utilities to mark their presence in proximity to each dig site.
Planning
Based on our initial site survey, Takeform developed location plans for signage and filed changes with the appropriate authorities on and off campus.
Design
To ensure a consistent brand experience for visitors, the Takeform team worked closely with the university to ensure high fidelity to the university's brand including accurate translation for the color palette. We also consulted on design issues such as signage size and layout to ensure effective wayfinding for students and visitors.
Engineering
Tight collaboration was key at every step. Our engineers collaborated with project engineers to construct sign foundations compatible with our fabrication. We also modified our approach to accommodate atypical foundation materials. Working with the University's architect, we ensured the entire system complemented the campus aesthetic, including the challenging color-match process for the sophisticated porcelain-clad signs.
Removal/Installation
Takeform managed a complicated installation timeline to keep the project progressing over many weeks. On a busy campus, thousands rely on signage every day. So, we enacted a rolling phased removal and installation to keep existing signage intact until the very moment its replacement was ready. Then, we installed the new sign before removing the old one. This kept blank spots in the system to a minimum.
Entry Monuments
Takeform created internally illuminated branded monuments for the main and secondary entrances featuring push-through logo and lettering to provide a dramatic sense of arrival, day or night.
Vehicular & Pedestrian Directionals
When it comes to fade resistance, porcelain is one of the most durable materials available for exterior signage. Its fade resistance is essential to accommodate ongoing updates over the life of the sign. The color integrity of the porcelain prevents ghost fading around lettering between such copy updates.
Pedestrian
Campus Map Signage
To help guide campus travelers on their journeys at a quick glance, these signs featured bent aluminum structures, angled for easy viewing, with embedded maps on replaceable panels.
Nature Trail Signage
Takeform created interpretive signs throughout the nature trails to highlight aspects of interest. The guiding principle: be informative yet non-disruptive to the natural experience. Nature signage included wildlife caution signs to alert explorers on their hikes. And, like the campus maps, nature signs featured bent aluminum construction and updateable embedded print panels
Parking
With visitor, faculty, staff, and student vehicles to accommodate, it's vital to have a parking system that's easy to navigate. The parking signage system included cabinet-style parking lot IDs featuring porcelain with updatable vinyl lettering.
The system also included color-coded pole-mounted parking IDs custom mounted for each pole size. Pay station markers are carried through the color-coded system.
Vehicular Traffic Signage
To keep traffic running smoothly and ensure a favorable brand experience, Takeform replaced all traffic signage and street IDs with fresh, bright signage.
Want to transform your campus experience?
Find out why the University of Houston turned to Takeform for new exterior signage across their entire campus. From exceptional products to comprehensive project management to resourceful collaboration, Takeform knows how to make complex projects happen smoothly and quickly.
Tell your brand story: Solutions for every market
Architects & Designers | Healthcare | Education | Corporate | Libraries | Senior Living | Government
