Tocumwal Town Entry Signage
Client: Berrigan Shire Council
Collaboration: Michel Signs - Fabricator, Dave Jefferies, Pomme Graphics - Graphic Design, Bridget Shirley - Professional Writing, Robyn Ballinger, History in the Making - Research & Robyn Whiteley - Editor
Status: Completed 2017
Collaboration: Michel Signs - Fabricator, Dave Jefferies, Pomme Graphics - Graphic Design, Bridget Shirley - Professional Writing, Robyn Ballinger, History in the Making - Research & Robyn Whiteley - Editor
Status: Completed 2017
This project combined the requirements of the brief for Town Entry Signs with the incredible story we learnt while working on the Town Concept Plan.
Tocumwal had the largest air base in the southern hemisphere during the Second World War. The scale, speed and process of building the base and what happened afterwards are great stories in themselves. We designed large format signs with simple, bold graphics on the front to be read at vehicle scale. The airman and airwoman hint at the story waiting to be discovered on the back.
Tocumwal was bypassed a few years ago and, despite RMS signage, visitors are often unaware that the CBD lies just to the east. The signage form and bright colour invites them to turn off the highway and spend some time in this lovely town on the banks of the Murray River.
Vehicle and pedestrian scale
By placing the Southern Town Entry Sign in Ingo Renner Park at the roundabout, we were able to direct drivers into the town as they cross the bridge over the river. The reverse side, designed to be read at pedestrian scale, introduces Tocumwal’s history. A timeline on the main panel shows local events in the context of world events during the War. Other panels feature the B-24 Liberator Bomber, including aircraft specifications and why they came to be known as ‘Flying Coffins’. A sense of life on the base and in Tocumwal during the War, are also captured.
Catalyst for future museum
Research for the signs drew on the work of local historian, Bob Brown who has worked over many years to ensure Tocumwal’s war time history wasn’t lost. Developed as a catalyst for a future museum, the interpretive signs have brought these stories to a new audience and a museum feasibility study is now underway.
We designed a simple steel frame with cladding to provide maximum flexibility in signage form. The vinyl sheeting combines historical images with text and bold colour. They are cost effective, easy to maintain and simple to update.
This project was completed by LMLA prior to merger with Thomson Hay Landscape Architects
Tocumwal had the largest air base in the southern hemisphere during the Second World War. The scale, speed and process of building the base and what happened afterwards are great stories in themselves. We designed large format signs with simple, bold graphics on the front to be read at vehicle scale. The airman and airwoman hint at the story waiting to be discovered on the back.
Tocumwal was bypassed a few years ago and, despite RMS signage, visitors are often unaware that the CBD lies just to the east. The signage form and bright colour invites them to turn off the highway and spend some time in this lovely town on the banks of the Murray River.
Vehicle and pedestrian scale
By placing the Southern Town Entry Sign in Ingo Renner Park at the roundabout, we were able to direct drivers into the town as they cross the bridge over the river. The reverse side, designed to be read at pedestrian scale, introduces Tocumwal’s history. A timeline on the main panel shows local events in the context of world events during the War. Other panels feature the B-24 Liberator Bomber, including aircraft specifications and why they came to be known as ‘Flying Coffins’. A sense of life on the base and in Tocumwal during the War, are also captured.
Catalyst for future museum
Research for the signs drew on the work of local historian, Bob Brown who has worked over many years to ensure Tocumwal’s war time history wasn’t lost. Developed as a catalyst for a future museum, the interpretive signs have brought these stories to a new audience and a museum feasibility study is now underway.
We designed a simple steel frame with cladding to provide maximum flexibility in signage form. The vinyl sheeting combines historical images with text and bold colour. They are cost effective, easy to maintain and simple to update.
This project was completed by LMLA prior to merger with Thomson Hay Landscape Architects