BRUNTWOOD BLOC

Astra Signs has brought a new level of navigation to the Bloc building with both external and internal wayfinding solutions.

Transforming Bloc with external and internal wayfinding signage pack

Located in Manchester City Centre, Bruntwood Works provided their 16-storey Bloc building, formerly known as Lowry House, a £6.3m renovation. The third of their ‘pioneer’ projects to be transformed into a state of the art workspace.

As part of the transformation, Astra Signs were successful in tendering for the external and internal wayfinding signage pack. We were chosen by lead construction, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Cubic Works to provide the new signage strategy for the building.

The external facade was given a significant upgrade with a Hyvert living wall by I Want Plants, to compliment the new external illuminated entrance signage, projecting sign and window manifestations, provided by Astra.

As featured in an article by Place North West, Bruntwood works CEO Ciara Keeling commented, “Bloc’s transition from a corporate office building to a wellbeing-focused workplace is game changing for Manchester and we have responded directly to what businesses and their employees expect from a modern workspace.”

The changes began with the 108,000 SQ FT buildings ground floor, where the bakery, Trove, has set up shop. brewdog joined later with a restaurant, bar and hotel. Head down to the basement for a sense of calm, curtesy of a new yoga studio by FORM, a cinema room sits nearby, those looking for a quick nap can nip over to the building’s designated sleep pods. Other amenities at Bloc include an auditorium, event space and co-working lounge.

Astra Signs worked closely with Bridge Architect and Placemarque to manufacture and install 122 elements of signage, including the illuminated entrance sign, external projecting sign, internal window graphics including reeded window film, CNC cut aluminium wayfinding signs, 3D floor level indicators, folded aluminium office signs and matt black acrylic door signs.

All manufactured in-house and installed by our teams to ensure a quality finish.