The Box

Ancient exhibits, Edwardian stonewalls, and a sparkling cantilevered architectural intervention. The Box in Plymouth – the city’s new £46m cultural centre – is an impressive mix of old and new.

Appointed to provide wayfinding for the new attraction, we devised a strategy and design that helped to both juxtapose and link past and present. The scheme encompasses the centre’s entrances, gallery spaces and main communal areas, enabling a smooth – and COVID-secure – flow of people into and through the buildings.

Looking to tell the story of the architecture and reflect the museum’s brand, we tailored our designs to the unique material palette and façade. Through the concept of an interlocking ‘invisible grid’, the designs echo the cubic theme and give accent to key areas. Visibility is also achieved through the use of fret cut signage which projects off the walls, enabling visitors to see the heritage surfaces behind and the open spaces beyond.

Throughout the centre, the wayfinding combines consistency and flexibility, with permanent signage for the centre’s long-term features, and removable panels for temporary exhibitions and events. Overall, a wayfinding scheme which integrates seamlessly with the centre’s architecture and myriad exhibits, and enables visitors to celebrate Plymouth’s rich cultural heritage.