Conversations With Old and New

Built in 1907, the Heritage-listed School of Arts is one of the oldest buildings in Cairns, Australia. As an important building to the Cairns community, it has undergone several major architecturally authentic extensions over the last century, notably in 1932, 1939, and recently in 2016.

Each of the previously completed building facades were restored in line with their historical roots, incorporating styles from early twentieth-century design to Art Deco.

In 2015 a new building was commissioned, housing a purpose built Museum, designed to connect to the existing heritage listed School of Arts, creating a modern cultural precinct, while preserving the heritage and history of the 19th century building.

Dotdash were appointed to design Wayfinding and signage. Our challenge was to design a cohesive visual language that represented past, present and future aesthetic elements of the site.

Sitting seamlessly alongside the original buildings made of timber flooring and bespoke window glasswork, the new building façade adds a contemporary style to a building of historical palimpsest. The notion of authenticity guided our concept to revive and reinterpret the traditional skill of woodworking that had been once taught at the School of Arts. Futura was chosen for the typeface. Being clean and sharp, the typeface does not date, it has enough character to reflect past to present.

Internally the wayfinding signage includes a play on scale with directional signage juxtaposed against boldly coloured levels throughout the building.

Demonstrating a range of aesthetic characteristics in a harmonious way, the School of Arts building delights its audience and commits to preserving the history of the City.