Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Exterior Wayfinding Strategy & Design

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1805, it’s the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States. The current museum building began construction in 1871 and opened in 1876 in connection with the Philadelphia Centennial. Designed by the American architects Frank Furness and George Hewitt, it has been called “one of the most magnificent Victorian buildings in the country.” In 2002, Dorrance H. Hamilton made a large donation to the Academy for its expansion, which was used to purchase the former automobile factory next to the original building. The unique architectural features of the buildings provided a challenge for the school to appear as a “campus.” Our primary goal was expansion of the recently redesigned branding, designed by The Heads of State, and a visual connection of the buildings across the plaza to create a sense of place and connectivity. This process included integration of the logo across the facade of the Furness building, activation of the brand within the plaza between the two buildings, and exposure of the brand on the north facade, visible from miles away from the Vine Street Expressway.

SECTOR:
education

SERVICES:
wayfinding strategy and design

CLIENT:
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

PHOTOGRAPHY:
@Matt Zugale