Here Together, We Are Home
In partnership with the local Council, the ‘One Community Together’ collaborative community change project approached our studio to discuss signage ideas to welcome people to ‘Clarence Plains.’ Historically, the area which encompasses four suburbs is one of the most disadvantaged in our state, consisting largely of public housing, high crime rates, and a reputation for burnt-out cars and disenfranchised youth.
The Challenge
Undoubtedly the key challenge was for us to deliver a work that would have impact over a large area, with an incredibly tight budget.
Making anything permanent outdoors in public space requires many considerations, including regulatory constraints.
Project Vision
Community members had identified that there needed to be greater respect for the place; this project was a part of this strategy.
Another strategy was to return the area to its colonial name (Clarence Plains) specifically to draw attention away from the suburbs burdened by years of bad press.
Here Together, We Are Home Video.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
Making and road side view of ’TOGETHER’.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
Sample of the alphabet, marking out the dot locations.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
Gabion prior to rock fill, and component detail.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
’R’ and ’HERE’ completed.
Design & Execution
By creating a system that uses an off-the-shelf gridded mesh, and ordering thousands of extra DeDots, we’ve set the local community up with a replicable design.
There are plans already to install a further two words, using the typographical alphabet and words gathered during the engagement phase. The work gives scope to exist in external installations with this physical system. It can also be used as a graphic system for merchandise, collateral, and promotional material, giving Clarence Plains a distinct, confident visual voice. The design process was a continuous circle; a technique would be found, investigated, ruled out. This happened multiple times before the final design solution was reached.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
Community celebration.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
’WELCOME’ seen just before ’HOME’ on way into the area.
Photo Credit: Samuel Shelley
’WELCOME’ ’TOGETHER’ demonstrating diagonal set out.
Slideshow
Here Together, We Are Home.
Volunteers and glimpse of finished piece
Making and road side view of ’TOGETHER’
Sample of the alphabet, marking out the dot locations
Gabion prior to rock fill, and component detail.
’R’ and ’HERE’ completed
Community celebration
’WELCOME’ seen just before ’HOME’ on way into the area
’WELCOME’ ’TOGETHER’ demonstrating diagonal set out