Chiswick House & Gardens
Heritage interpretation and signage in a historic park
We designed interpretation and wayfinding signage for the restoration of Chiswick House Gardens. English Heritage wanted to place paintings and photographs from the Chiswick House collection around the park in the positions they were originally painted from, along with interpretation for visitors.
Inspired by en plein air painting, we set the contemporary view in an empty picture frame on an easel alongside the original image.
Ten sculptural, robust easels with cast bronze-aluminium picture frames were placed around the park to form a culture trail mapped out visitor leaflets.
The interpretation panels were designed with a colour palette that referenced the interior decoration of the house, designed by William Kent as an integral part of the gardens.
Modern and bold – a new design heritage
Our brief extended to wayfinding and orientation signage. A bold, deep blue round with modern, spare typography introduced a distinctive, modern intervention to complement the heritage buildings and landscaping.
