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Four Seasons Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Masterplan

A remarkable experience for a bold new tower

Located at the top of Philadelphia’s stunning 60 floor Comcast Technology Center, the Four Seasons hotel offers guests sky-high views of the city and an array of premium amenities. The wayfinding system established by Forge combines the technological focus of Comcast and the sophistication of Four Seasons to create renewing visual forms and allows users to better understand and orient themselves in the layout of the space.

Visitor circulation
Vertical and linear wayfinding system
Floor ID series and materials

Creating a narrative through poetic programming

The Podium is a vibrant and complex space inside the Comcast Technology Center. Our primary wayfinding challenge was to clearly direct users toward their destinations while encouraging them to explore the building’s full range of amenities. The concept of ‘boldly invisible’ is represented through large-scale but seamlessly-integrated signage, and allows users to ‘aim’ toward these beacons.

Orientation landmarking
Elevator lobby signage
Digital elevator signage

Seamless integration of function and beauty

Anticipating the behaviours and needs of the site’s varied users, Forge developed a wayfinding system that complements the memorable architecture and works in harmony with surrounding landmarks. Directional signage is placed consistently to accommodate multiple destinations and directions of travel with minimal visual intrusion.

A seamless integration with the beautiful architectural
Renderings of entrance ID
Level ID and elegant finishes
I really enjoy working with Forge Media. A very creative studio with great attention to detail which both complements and enhances the architecture of our projects.
Russel Hales, Partner (Foster + Partners)

Four Seasons Doha

Doha, Qatar
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Masterplan

An iconic hotel at the Pearl in Doha

A beachfront resort situated along the shores of The Pearl in Doha, Qatar, The Four Seasons Resort and Residences is a an upscale living experience providing an exceptional combination of elegance and relaxation. Forge collaborated with Four Seasons Hotels to create an environment that communicates authenticity and luxury to guests. The design pays careful consideration to the physical surroundings and creates a deeper, more personal experience for visitors.

Surrounding landscape and luxury amenities

Inspired materials for a memorable experience

Leveraging Doha’s beachfront setting as a metaphor, the signage material palette draws inspiration from the luster and luminance of pearls, with materials like tempered glass and quartz reflecting the transparency and movement of water. Curvilinear forms and rounded elements were influenced by the nearby ocean’s fluidity, seamlessly blending distinctive forms with functional design.

Concept sketches
Low and high-fidelity renderings of guest room ID
Interior signage and wayfinding

An authentic base of understanding

Seamlessly integrating signage elements that not only guide guests through the hotel’s expansive facilities but also complement the hotel’s surrounding beachfront environment, Forge delivered a cohesive and visually compelling signage system that aligns with the hotel’s commitment to overall excellence in guest service.

Renderings of site pylon ID at day and night
Renderings of building ID at day and night
Elevation of primary entrance ID
Exterior signage and wayfinding

Four Season Athens

Athens, Greece
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Masterplan

A crafted experience evoking familiar surroundings

Four Seasons Astir Palace is located on the Athens Riviera where guests can enjoy a high-end beach resort escape in close proximity to the historic heart of Athens. Beginning with a careful analysis and definition of the target audience, Four Seasons looked to Forge to develop a signage and wayfinding program that would act as a seamless extension of Four Seasons’ white glove service.

Surrounding landscape and luxury amenities

Inspired by history and culture

Through exploration of anthropology, history, and mythology, the concept of the loom and its harp-like vertical striations was established due to its significance to the production of textiles and Greek culture. Its unique shape inspired the structural elements of the signage design and became foundational in our approach for the signage master plan.

The loom served as the foundational signage concept
Hellenic anthropology provided a through-line and mythology
Renderings and elevations for exterior signage applcations

A crafted experience that evokes familiar surroundings

Refined materials and forms create a curated and calm place of solace in both the interior and exterior space. Amenities are identified with distinctive and sophisticated signage, reinforcing the loom concept and providing a tailored experience for each area of the resort.

Nafsika entrance ID
Concept sketches
Renderings of guest room ID
Exquisite interior finishes for an elevated guest experience
Concept sketches
Digital renders of salon signage

Wayfinding designed from the guests’ perspective

Master planning begins by organizing information to understand and define both planned and spontaneous movements. This process ensures that wayfinding and circulation are logically connected, linking major destinations across the campus.

Four Seasons

Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Masterplan
  • Placemaking

Sophisticated placemaking for a white-glove experience

Four Seasons operates white-glove service hotels, resorts, and residences across the globe. Seeking to align the high standards of quality and finish expected, Forge is an ongoing partner; providing world-class wayfinding and placemaking solutions. With eight projects and counting, Forge continues to provide outstanding value to this international hospitality company.

Inspired design for unmatched hospitality

Our design approach takes cues from the forms and finishes present in the spaces, employing a sophisticated palette of materials to convey a sense of refined luxury. Sign messages are applied throughout the rooms and spaces to create a seamless look that allows the messaging to grow naturally out of the environment.

Signage details in Four Seasons, Lanai, Hawaii

Award-winning signage and wayfinding solutions

Signage is a subtle yet visible extension of the guest experience, creating a network of visual landmarks and reference points to effectively orient visitors in the many Four Seasons hotel environments we’ve designed without overpowering the spaces. We’ve created signage solutions for many Four Seasons locations, including Doha in Qatar, Khobar in Saudi Arabia, Astir in Greece, Lanai in Hawaii, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Toronto.

Four Seasons at Comcast Technology Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Interior details inside Four Seasons, Toronto, Ontario
Exterior details at Four Seasons, Toronto
  • 8 Four Seasons hotels in our portfolio
  • 4 countries, spanning two continents

First Gulf

Toronto, ON
Services Deliverables
  • Art Installation
  • Wayfinding
  • Illustration
  • Motion Graphics
  • Placemaking
  • Masterplan
  • Signage

Imbuing life: an artistic reflection on growth

The Globe and Mail Centre is located in Toronto’s St. Lawrence neighbourhood, on one of the original ten city blocks of the Town of York. First Gulf commissioned Forge to create an art installation for their lobby that captures their brand’s essence of growth and enhances the tenant and visitor experience.

70 linear feet of continuous LED display adds interest and vivid colours to the lobby

Opening windows into new worlds

We created an array of LED columns across the 70-foot lobby wall, giving it the appearance of a series of growing ‘windows’ from the core of the building to the entrance. This extensive canvas creates two interactive artworks that attract attention while capturing and utilizing the constant pedestrian flow to affect the content.

The physcial array of screens contract/expand as you enter/exit the lobby

Escaping urban life through nature’s tranquility

‘Bloom’ invites the viewer to wander into its idyllic, hand-illustrated forest scenes to enjoy a moment of respite. It highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between nature and the urban sprawl so that we can continue to find solace within its warm embrace. With 72 scenes, including seasonal changes, varying flora, floating lanterns, creatures of the forest, and shifting light that emulates the time of day, it will never cease to have new things to discover.

All of Bloom’s custom made scenes change through the seasons and the lighting changes over the course of the day
Whimsical animal spirits are triggered by viewers stopping to take in the screens and represent current weather patterns

An artistic exploration of city and citizens’ dependencies

‘Interstitial Space’ explores the symbiotic relationship between the city and its citizens. The piece actively translates the momentum of the lobby’s pedestrians, adding colourful lines that weave throughout the illustrated cityscape, revealing depth and imbuing energy into the art. Over the day, eight distinct eras celebrate the history of Toronto, from its humble beginnings in 1793 to its current vibrant state.

Toronto’s skyline changes every hour, representing the growth of the city from its historic past to its vibrant present
Image of UJA Federation building.

UJA Federation

Toronto, ON
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Masterplan
  • Donor Recognition
  • Placemaking

Strengthening the connections within a community

Nestled in the natural beauty of the West Don Parklands, the UJA Federation’s Sherman campus is a unique multiplex hub that provides an essential cultural link for Toronto’s Jewish community and features state-of-the-art sports, youth, educational and family programming. The phase II development mission is to expand the facility offerings and enrich the connection for all members of the UJA family.

Wayfinding signage along a trail.
Monuments of recognition

A vibrant and thriving community hub

UJA Federation approached Forge Media + Design to plan, design, and implement a wayfinding system for the newly planned Sheff Family Building. Our design challenge was to create a harmonious experience amongst neighbouring buildings while integrating new signage and donor recognition for the campus, building exterior and interior.

Close-up of building signage lettering.
The building as fabric of the community
Wayfinding signage pillars outside the building.
Wayfinding signage outside the building complex.
Unified brand through typeface consistency
UJA Federation building.
Integrated wayfinding creates a sense of place

Understanding the diverse legacy

Cultural sensitivity and accessibility were critical factors to the development of the project. Working within specific budget constraints, Forge engaged with key stakeholders to understand the diverse typology of guests and visitors. The result is not only an intuitive system that liberates the act of mobility and access but also one that provides moments of connection, pride of place and a shared vision for the future.

Interior of UJA building, with a focus on wayfinding signage.
Familiar forms help with orientation
Close-up of office signage.
Close-up of building amenity signage.
Close-up of building amenity signage.
Changeable donor panels
  • 106K sq. ft. campus
Backside of interactive donor recognition panels.

Stella’s Place

Toronto, ON
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Donor Recognition
  • Video Production
  • Motion Graphics
  • Kiosk
  • Placemaking
  • Masterplan

Young people are 20% of the population, but 100% of the future

Forge had the pleasure of working with Stella’s Place – a not-for-profit organization in Toronto, ON, that helps young adults empower themselves to manage their mental health and wellness. During our inclusive co-design session, a rich diversity of stories from the stakeholders and youth participants revealed the tapestry of the community they are weaving together. This direction became a foundational theme for the project.

Inspirational interior signage.
A place for sharing art

A through-line connection throughout the space

The interconnected concept of community is in all of the project elements, including a colourful thread graphic that weaves throughout the space, intuitively delineating areas that youth participants are welcome to utilize. Every detail of the signage keeps the safety of the participants in mind and features a high level of changeability to allow for future donor recognition of spaces.

Room signage and donor recognition, with a person walking by.
Integrated room sign and donor recognition
Close-up of messaging on an interior wall.
Close-up of donor recognition and room signage.
A connecting thread

Designing an accessible experience

Also integrated into The thread is a tactile surface that distinguishes it from the wall. Braille directional pannels are strategically located at key decision points to help those with vision disability to orient themselves.

A person's hand touching a braille sign.
Close-up of raised signage letters.
Close-up of braille signage.
Close-up of raised signage letters.
Calming design cues

Thoughtfully showcasing personal stories through design

Forge worked closely with Stella’s Place to ensure everyone’s story was carefully told. Choosing where and how those moments were displayed was a collaborative effort between client, interior designers and Forge’s environments team.

A chair and donor legacy sign.
Close-up of interior donor legacy sign.
Founder recognition plaque

Creating a place of their own

The digital donor wall was placed at the heart of the new building, highlighting the importance of the people that provide funding, service, and participation. At the push of a button, video testimonials of donors, participants, peers and staff capture the essence of ‘Why Stella’s Place matters’ and illustrates the strong sense of belonging shared by all who walk through its doors.

Backside of interactive donor recognition panels.
A person interacting with the donor touch screen.
A close-up of a sign describing the community at Stella's Place.
A rendering of the donor wall concept.
  • 12K sq. ft. community space
  • 300+ 1-on-1 counselling sessions in 2022
  • 80% group session retention rate in 2022
“Forge Media + Design were a pleasure to work with. This project exceeded my expectations of what is possible with donor recognition and placemaking and I’m so proud of the result. I am especially grateful for the process they used to co-design this project with our program participants, staff and Board members. They really listened to our input and our voice is apparent throughout the space. Forge was responsive, engaged and professional for the whole of the process.”
Catherine Dyer, Director of Development

CAMH

Toronto, ON
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Placemaking
  • Masterplan
  • Donor Recognition
  • Illustration

Moving people through a holistic wayfinding approach

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital. CAMH drives innovative research, provides expert training to healthcare professionals, and advocates for social change. Working alongside Stantec and Acumen Visual Group, we developed a holistic wayfinding approach at CAMH’s Queen Street site to fully integrate two new CAMH campus buildings – Building B1 (McCain Complex Care & Recovery Building) and Building D1 (Crisis & Critical Care Building).

Clear and simple direction

Creating a welcoming sense of belonging

The wayfinding program uses critical campus points to help patients, workers and visitors reach their intended destinations safely and with clarity throughout the day. Signage recognizing the generous donors and their contributions is celebrated proudly in the newly built Crisis & Critical Care and McCain Complex Care & Recovery buildings.⁠

A new beginning for community care
Contribution as identity
Campus navigation
Expressing subtle brand cues with wayfinding

Improving the movement and flow of people in the space

The interior signage program for the new CAMH campus buildings improves the flow and movement of people throughout the space, as patients, visitors and staff have the tools they require to self-navigate the buildings. The signage welcomes the community and encourages people to utilize the building’s many resources.

Place and colour help inform wayfinding
Gender inclusivity and secure mounting are key features
Creating calm with hierarchy of information

Hand-drawn expressions depicting the people of CAMH

Vibrant murals featuring hand-drawn characters accompanied the written words of donors at the Ossington and Queen Street Campus.⁠⁠ A wall for each department – representing the patients, the caregivers and the staff at CAMH – was thoughtfully designed and placed the patient’s unique journey at the forefront of one’s experience.

Concept sketches
A moment of pause and recognition
  • $685M project value
  • 600K sq. ft. campus
  • 235 beds

Deloitte Burlington

Burlington, ON
Services Deliverables
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Placemaking
  • Masterplan

Connection to the regional landscape as workplace identity

Team identity and culture are hallmarks of Deloitte’s approach to their office experience. Creating a space for their new Burlington office that reflected the natural beauty unique to the community was key. Working in tandem with AFK Studios, Forge was asked to develop a communication program through wayfinding, placemaking and environmental graphics that distinctly expressed Deloitte’s brand presence while weaving a memorable narrative throughout the interior.

A mindful place

Bringing the magic of the outside, in

AFK Studio’s open, airy and modern interior design allowed Forge to create placemaking landmarks that helped anchor and define spaces for work and collaboration. The environmental graphic experience involved showcasing the region’s story through photography and graphics. These became the foundation for creating connections with the other branded signage and wayfinding elements.

A green arrival

Natural collaboration of form and function

Workspaces benefited from the integration of themed graphic motifs. Integrating these graphics into writable wall surfaces created highly functional rooms. This also helped strengthen the connection to place by creating seamless interaction with the work environment. While establishing a clear visual hierarchy in brand and communication, the program successfully helps both clients and staff understand and navigate their environment while creating pride in their space and its identity.

Flexible and themed collaboration surfaces
Connecting experience from lobby to Coffee Bar seating
  • 35.5K sq. ft. office space

Liberty House

Services Deliverables
  • Logo
  • Brand Guide
  • Marketing Materials
  • Stationery
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Uniforms
  • Placemaking
  • Masterplan

Fostering a culture of community within a community

Equipped with luxury amenities and stylish spaces, Liberty House is an elevated rental development that strives to provide a community-focused lifestyle for all residents. To fill a gap in the purpose-built rental space, Fitzrovia aimed to build high-quality rental units with desirable amenity packages marketed to the millennial renter. Forge worked with Fitzrovia Real Estate to define a name and develop a brand for this new property.

A preliminary sketch for the Liberty House logo
The Liberty House logo seen aligned to a grid
Preliminary sketch and a well structured logo for a fun brand
A sophisticated colour palette
A letterform of the letter A for the font Univers Ultra Condensed.
A letterform of the letter A for the font Univers.
Stylistic typography to communicate to the millennial audience

Resonating with the millennial renter

Seeking to evoke the community aspect of the property, the name Liberty House reflects the idea of one’s family all under one roof. The name also echoes the sense of pride and unity created by the development’s unique spaces, program offerings and amenities. Liberty House offers luxury living within reach to its residents.

Uniforms
Promotional materials and stationery

Luxury within reach

The property speaks to those looking for an aspirational lifestyle while remaining accessible to the young millennial renter. Curated elements of luxury are present in the buildings offerings and mirrored through the use of carefully chosen materials and custom flourishes throughout the signage program.

Custom pictograms to add flair to the signage program
Parking signage
Room signage, directional signage and floor ID’s
  • 290K sq. ft. of premium rental living space
  • 440 high-end rental units
  • 25 stories tall tower