Friends House Signage Design

Eminently quakerly

Friends House has been the home of British Quakers since the 1920s. It was purpose built to provide both central offices and a place of worship for British Quakers. The architect Hubert Lidbetter, a Quaker, won the 1927 RIBA bronze medal for the best building erected in London. In 1996 the building and its garden were given a Grade II listing by English Heritage.

Blue tack culture

On our first visit to Friends House we were, like many others, confused by the makeshift and make do signage. So we were delighted to be asked to develop a wayfinding system as part of our ongoing work on the Quakers identity and house style.

Offered the opportunity to bring the new brand into the building and clean up the visual clutter we jumped straight in.

Consultative approach

We conducted a full circulation and navigation study of the building and developed a system that met the needs of the users. Through consultation and two rounds of test signage we established the most practicable wayfinding based upon marker signposts, floor plans and directories, and door signs.

Suitable solution

We developed a bespoke, but extremely cost effective, method of construction using graphic printouts sandwiched between acrylic panels. A robust, simple and stylish solution that enables updating if necessary. This meant that we could use the colour palette developed in the identity review and also use the new marque to incorporate the brand into the building.

Accessible

As part of our signage system we incorporated braille and large text panels into the door signs and worked with consultant Ann Gardiner to produce tactile maps for visual impaired visitors to Friends House.

Listed building consent

As a grade II listed building Friends House is subject to planning consent for all internal and external additions and fixings to the structure. We prepared and successfully submitted planning applications to Camden Council for the wayfinding system and ensured that installation was carried out within the bounds of the planning consent.

Signs of the times

An elegant and appropriate system, our wayfinding blends in well with the period styling of the building. It also clearly demonstrates that Quakers are moving forward.