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Technopôle Angus Signage
By : LG2 et LG2 Architecture
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Communication & Branding
Categories : Environmental Design / Signage : Gold Certification
Overview
Technopôle Angus, located in Montreal’s East End borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, is an avant-garde environment for businesses, workers and residents. Its industrial past as the Angus Shops left the district a unique, historical architectural legacy.
The objective of the project was to enhance the visibility of Angus Technopôle’s non-street-facing businesses, by creating a unique visual identity and clear signage system that directs users to points of interest and encourages them to explore the district.
Entry Description
The Technopôle’s mission is to create a living environment that both fosters community and serves as a laboratory for sustainable development. The logo evokes these twin ideas with the image of a flower that can also be interpreted as people conversing. The circle is a dominant element of the project. The main symbol, consisting of a circle and two quarter shapes, can be versioned into an array of icons with endless possibilities. The perforated circles in the structures recall the large rivets of the district’s industrial buildings and echo the logo’s shape to create a modular and adaptable grid, perfect for a wayfinding system. These apertures filter the surrounding light, creating a dynamic play of shadows throughout the day. The complementary soft pastel palette catches the eye and the clean, easy-to-read typography ensures people can efficiently find their way around the site.
The variety of strategically located, modern structures fits with the spirit of Technopôle Angus. The thoughtful choice of materials evokes the district’s history while unusual structural details lend a distinct aesthetic character. In its industrial heyday, aluminum was widely used at the Angus Shops. Not only is the metal an important local resource – nearly 90% of Canadian aluminum is produced in Quebec – its production has a smaller environmental impact. It was a natural fit and why we chose to use this material in our signage system.
Impact
We wanted the installations to be in harmony with their surroundings. The idea was to blend into the Technopôle Angus landscape and highlight the district’s industrial roots. The unexpected yet harmonious use of the patina green complements the rust and metal of the building’s industrial frame and contrasts with the typographic elements to give the information greater visibility. All these elements work together in a continual dialogue between the surrounding neighbourhood and signage.
The signage system had to be entirely modular in order to meet Technopôle Angus’s sustainable development objectives and limit the use of materials. That’s why we created plates that can be easily interchanged on the structures, allowing for the addition of new businesses over time. Spherical lights placed on the main structures illuminate the entrances to the public squares and contribute to a sense of security in the evening and at night, imbuing the environment with a soothing atmosphere.
Collaboration
