This Chicago-based development project by Green Development sought to transform a historic steel manufacturing site into a multi-use urban complex. The former Finkl Steel site was planned to feature office and residential towers, restaurants, indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces, athletic fields, and concert venues. My role involved leading research and conceptual design for wayfinding signage across the site's 53 acres, as well as developing site guidelines for flexible and cohesive building signage design.
Design concepts were inspired by Chicago's historic steel industry, prominently visible in the city's many steel bridges, and Mies van der Rohe's elegantly simple rectilinear forms. Exploratory studies focused on common steel profiles and how these components could be used to create a site-relevant wayfinding system.
The client-preferred option, featuring a Mies-inspired open box frame system, was further explored and refined. This design was expanded to incorporate directional signage variations and a monument sign. Additionally, the pedestrian directional signage was developed with a modular system and easily interchangeable panels. Slots along each side and inserts between three panel sizes created a flexible kit-of-parts, ensuring efficient maintenance.
