Help and Advice Sheets

Case Studies

CASE STUDIES
HELP & INFORMATION

The following case studies have been drawn from assignments undertaken by Austin Luce & Co Ltd. Our portfolio of clients is extensive and we are able to bespoke a design to your individual needs.
Southwark Cathedral's Millennium buildings
Opened by Nelson Mandela in April 2001, this project has been ranked among the foremost architectural developments in the country. The £10 million Cathedral project won a highly prestigious award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1992 for its high architectural standards and its contribution to the local environment.
The brief called for the cathedral's role as the spiritual focus of the South Bank to be emphasized more strongly; to increase access to the cathedral and its precinct for disabled visitors; and to create a new entrance for visitors who approached the cathedral from the riverside walk to the North. It also required new ancillary accommodation, which included a refectory, shop and theological library.
An intrinsic part of the project was the provision of suitable signage. Austin Luce worked closely with Ptolemy Dean of Richard Griffiths Architects to provide a series of stove enamelled maps of the site together with individual Bronze signs for various areas of the cathedral. The signs were to be both functional and sympathetic to the historic nature of the building. The relationship with the cathedral has continued, with further matching signs being ordered in July 2004.
Dudley Smith Partnership
Has a wide involvement in projects ranging in value from minor works to large complex multi-million pound schemes. Their projects cover virtually all sectors of the industry and in every case it is essential that their image is displayed prominently and professionally. Austin Luce have been providing personalised large scale site signs to Dudley Smith reflecting their involvement in their various capacities as Chartered Surveyors, Construction Consultantss & Project Managers for many years.
Ralph Lauren
In addition to the large number of prestigious clients who are aware that Austin Luce have provided their signage there are those who remain oblivious due to the seamless interface we provided for their chosen sign provider. An example of this is the production of a dozen 10mm thick solid brass etched signs which remain to this day around the world in prestigious branches of Ralph Lauren shops. The contract was won by London Signs – but they did not have the technical capacity to manufacture so they asked us to bridge the gap.
Commemorative Plaques
Austin Luce is frequently called upon to manufacture commemorative plaques for highly prestigious events and projects. Examples are the Queen Elizabeth II Crossing at Dartford where a substantial stainless steel nameplate was provided to be unveiled by Her Majesty at the official Opening Ceremony and the very first etched nameplate provided by Austin Luce which was for the opening of the new stadium for Watford Football Club – by it's proud owner, Sir Elton John. We have recently provided a Stainless Steel etched plaque to be installed in the highest hospital in the world – the location being the 15,000 base camp on Mount Everest.
Hand delivered by Yak and Sherpa
Total Orthodontics
A prestigious group of Dental Practices with branches in Hove, Tonbridge and Crawley. They required a uniformity of corporate image across the sites, with all signage featuring their humorous and distinctive logo. However, it was quickly evident that the same material would not suit all their premises and Austin Luce were able to provide appropriate advice together with convincing impressions of how the finished signage would look. We then took the project through to manufacture and delivered a professional result combining the use of stainless steel and Austin Luce's unique maintenance free "polished brass" material – Lustele. The design of the signs allows them the flexibility to update the signs with a minimum of expense as staff turnover requires.
Wates Construction
A chance meeting between a member of the Austin Luce Team and a manager for Wates Construction led to our involvement in the refurbishment of the Coventry Cross Estate – a substantial social housing development in the East End of London. A series of site visits followed, together with the provision of detailed drawings for approval. As well as stainless steel directional signage on each floor and stairwell, we provided and installed Stainless Steel cut out letters 500mm high naming each of the three blocks of flats. The project brief was to provide stylish and durable signage within a tight budget and working to a short timescale – all of which was successfully accomplished.

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