Blue Raptor Signs select Applelec's monolith range to create unmissable signage for York's shopping destination

Opened on 10th April 2014, York’s new Vangarde Shopping Park features exterior wayfinding signage by Blue Raptor Signs including a pair of six metre freestanding monoliths created with support from Applelec.

The park features a long awaited John Lewis and the region’s largest M&S store alongside various food outlets. The development was devised to target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating with sustainability considered throughout the design and build of the site and in elements such as the park’s signage where energy efficient LEDs were chosen.

The two monoliths feature internal steel frames which have been externally clad to create a curved shape with LED illuminated text. Stencil cut panels were backed in 3mm opal acrylic to create text detail with opal acrylic inlays used for primary text and white vinyl for small text areas at the base of the monolith. Applelec’s stocked SloanLED V Series 2 LEDs were used to provide illumination and supplied with a five year warranty. Both monoliths feature removable tenant panels to enable easy updates should new outlets be taken or other changes occur.

Matt Wilson of Blue Raptor Signs said: ‘Applelec did a great job fabricating these totems in a very short lead-time. They adapted to last minute specification changes, delivered them on time and pulled out all the stops to do a great job, as per usual. As our favourite trade supplier, we wouldn't have trusted anyone else to undertake such an important project.’

Based on drawings of the monoliths supplied by the customer, Blue Raptor Signs developed the designs from concept to reality with support from Applelec. In these planning stages, full structural engineering drawings were created to cover wind load, post load, base plate sizes and other recommendations regarding the structural safety of the two large feature signs.

Sam Armstrong, Applelec sales director, said: ‘Standing at six metres in height, the scale of these monoliths meant careful planning was required to ensure they were structurally sound. Applelec have recently appointed a design engineer who will now be working on similarly complex projects to provide customer support for signage where location or environmental factors can dictate the design and construction of a sign.’

Get in touch:

01274 774 477

sales@applelec.co.uk

Find our offices