The Storyhouse in Chester was an old Odeon cinema, and has now become a £37m cultural complex in the heart of the city. It contains a theatre, library and boutique cinema, with the award-winning sign work a key aspect of the project. The design takes inspiration from the 1930s building which has now become the cultural centre.

IS Group won The Sign of the Year and Illuminated Sign of the Year at the latest British Sign Awards in Leicester, for its role in the structural design and calculations of the sign. The business turned to Applelec to manufacture letters for the structures. Using Sloan LED modules, Applelec created built-up signs to be used externally and internally.

The white 6500K Sloan LED modules illuminate the signage, with the tallest letter reaching 1000mm. Paul Dyke, IS Group sales director, explains: “The letter design took influence from retro inspired fonts, which reflect the 1930s era of Storyhouse. Applelec was consulted during the design process to draw upon their expertise to deliver high-quality craftsmanship and products that helped us meet the requirements of the client.”

Further built-up letters using 6500K Sloan LED modules were used for the internal sign which stood at 760mm, and were inside a frame structure and face lit to create a striking impact. The two exterior signs were mounted above the entrance of the building, and at the back of the centre.

Andy Armitage, head of signage sales at Applelec, adds: “With Storyhouse located in the city centre, one of the challenges IS Group identified was to ensure lighting levels complied with regulatory standards. This was achieved by creating the letters with halo illuminations as this effect produces far less light pollution but still delivers an intense and elegant glow, which was required for this project.”

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