Brief
We designed and delivered a bilingual wayfinding scheme for the National Library of Wales, drawing on the building’s own architectural language to create a system that is accessible, compliant with the Welsh Language Standards, and fitting for one of the country’s most significant public buildings.
Solution
Working within a Grade II listed building presented a significant layer of constraint. Every fixing method, surface treatment and penetration required careful consideration to avoid damage to the historic fabric, and all proposals were developed in close consultation with the client to ensure compliance with the building’s listed status. Our objective from the outset was to create a scheme that felt like an extension of the architecture rather than an applied layer.
Inspired by the Library’s extensive use of Portland stone, we developed a material-led design using Portland stone, 10mm toughened glass and a refined typographic hierarchy. A colour-coded floor identification system was introduced to aid orientation across the building’s multiple levels, with each floor assigned a distinct colour applied consistently across all sign types at that level. Bespoke illustrations and icons were developed in collaboration with Andco Studio to complement the scheme.
The bilingual requirement shaped every design decision. Under the Welsh Language Standards, Welsh text must appear above or to the left of English on every sign – a statutory obligation, not a preference. For the National Library, it carries meaning beyond compliance: the Library exists to preserve Welsh language and culture, and Welsh leads throughout the scheme because it is the primary language of the institution. Panel sizing, typographic hierarchy and reading order were all designed around accommodating Welsh directional terms, which are consistently longer than their English equivalents, without either language feeling secondary
Solutions Supplied
- Wayfinding audit and site survey
- Wayfinding concept design and sign family development
- Bilingual design compliant with Welsh Language Standards
- Colour-coded floor identification system
- Compliant accessibility design
- Material specification and product design
- Bespoke icon and illustration design (in collaboration with Andco Studio)
- Manufacture including bespoke Portland stone elements (in collaboration with our sister company)
- Installation
- Project management
