Wayfinding for Birmingham’s Multistory redevelopment incorporates sustainability

Located in the heart of the UK’s second largest city, Multistory is described as a dynamic new destination for work, retail and leisure. Design studio f.r.a. crafted the building’s wayfinding and placemaking on behalf of Railpen, one of the UK's largest pension funds.

With the former carpet factory having undergone a complete transformation, its two buildings were combined to form what Railpen hopes will be a new best-in-class office in the centre of Birmingham.

Its central space was designed to be unique to Birmingham, aiming to create a sense of community between employees and their workplace. The wayfinding system by f.r.a therefore had to leverage the building’s creative spirit as well as complement the bold visual language already conceived by design agency F37 Studio.

Vertical lines and extruded elements help to express connectivity and rhythm, while Durat – an ecologically sensitive material – was used to help match the brand’s vibrant palette. The wayfinding specialists also worked alongside architectural practice Hawkins\Brown and asset and development management company V7 to bring the space to life.

Wesley Meyer, creative director at f.r.a., explains, “We included subtle local Birmingham references such as the woven placemaking graphic, as the site was a former carpet factory, and the lobby bar’s sign taking design cues from the famous Rum Runner club where Duran Duran was the house band.”

The offices are due to be fully completed later this month.