Colorado State University Nancy Richardson Design Center

ArtHouse Design elevated the new building with a comprehensive suite of signage, wayfinding and placemaking elements that drew inspiration from the un-designed, raw materials of the architecture, as well as the building’s new branding, created by CSU’s creative services. The architecture of the building fits into a hillside with unique terracing, stairways and breezeways, that pose navigational challenges. With warm wood elements, bright red accents and creative patterning, the signage, wayfinding and donor elements tie the building together, creating a cohesive, navigable space.

ArtHouse also sought to create unique opportunities for campus placemaking and social media engagement with two neon ram’s heads and a one-of-a-kind geometric metal ram’s head. For an even more special moment in a public walkway, ArtHouse added a mirrored backer to the neon to allow students and tours to ‘see themselves’ in CSU. ArtHouse Design also contributed an in-kind donation of services to this project (as CSU is one of the ArtHouse principals’ alma mater) to help ensure an eye-catching, innovative suite of design elements within the projects budget.