Chelmsford City Council
Chelmsford, UK
Placemarque were commissioned to design a bespoke new wayfinding scheme for Chelmsford. Recently awarded City status, Chelmsford is currently undergoing significant growth in its retail offering and is upgrading its public realm to create a well designed and attractive city centre.
The city has a number of small shopping zones and attractions spread around the perceived centre, along with a number of forthcoming developments. There was the need to develop a wayfinding strategy to connect the retail circuit, raise awareness of the attractions, and encourage visitors to make better use of the parks that surround the city centre. The wayfinding system is designed to reinforce the identity of the city, highlighting landmarks and local character. Key theme to reinforce were the historic links with Marconi, easy walkable nature of the place, the riverside, and local community. The city is known for a number of successful festival and arts initiatives which attract large numbers from the local community and beyond, so the system needs to allow for some temporary event information.
The system is designed to be updatable, easy and clear in the delivery of information and by a careful placement strategy, will encourage wider visitor exploration.