Sovereign Signs select SloanLED from Applelec for Leeds Playhouse

Sovereign Signs was commissioned by BAM Construction to work alongside them to provide bespoke signage for the newly refurbished Leeds Playhouse.

 

Thirty years since it first opened, the theatre venue in West Yorkshire recently underwent a massive overhaul, transforming the previously dated 1970s building into a modernised, cultural destination.

 

The £16 million renovation project sees Leeds Playhouse feature a new restaurant and bar area, along with improved facilities, upgraded seating and a new, accessible city facing entrance.

 

The external of the building has been completely reimagined, replacing the previous brick façade with a stylish and contemporary glass wall design that stretches from floor to ceiling. Punctuating the wall of glass, large panels of colourful, ceramic tiles add a patchwork of different hues, creating a vibrant and artistic frontage that pays tribute to Leeds ceramic heritage.

 

As part of the multi-million-pound project, the theatre appointed Sovereign Signs and BAM Construction to provide new signage for the building’s exterior. Forming the word ‘Playhouse’, the signage was created from nine, built-up letters each measuring 800 x 400mm. Ensuring the signage stood out, the letters were integrated with SloanLED VL Plus 3 Mini LEDs, where the crisp 6500K colour temperature of the modules delivered striking illumination during nightfall.

 

Iain McKenzie Sovereign Signs’ managing director said: ‘We required a reliable LED brand for illuminating the Playhouse sign, and SloanLED VL Plus 3 Mini modules really delivered for this project by being a high performing as well as cost effective LED option. Lighting played a vital role towards the overall appearance of the Playhouse signage, and the premium quality of SloanLED’s LED modules produced powerful illumination, creating a beautiful visual at night.’

 

David Mullaney, national product manager for Applelec’s SloanLED division said: ‘With the lettering being installed in a difficult location - at high level in the city centre, it was imperative that the LEDs would not fail. Due to the premium construction of SloanLED’s VL Plus 3 Mini and with the modules IP66 protection class, the LEDs were robust enough to accommodate the sign’s external and exposed position, providing longevity of install.’