Great Places

235 Custom Wayfinding Signs Delivered for a New Residential Development

An image of the Stairwell wayfinding signage for the apartments.

Project Overview

FASTSIGNS Manchester partnered with Great Places to design, manufacture and supply a complete wayfinding signage package for a new residential housing development in Manchester.

The project involved producing 235 custom signs throughout the building, helping residents, visitors and service providers navigate the development safely and efficiently from day one.

For residential developments, wayfinding is often one of the last elements considered, but it has one of the biggest impacts on the day-to-day experience of residents. Research from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has highlighted that clear wayfinding improves accessibility, reduces confusion and helps people feel more confident within unfamiliar environments. In multi-occupancy residential buildings, effective signage is essential for both safety and usability.

An image of the wayfinding signage for a different level in the apartment.

The Challenge

Great Places required a signage solution that could be delivered within a tight timeframe to support the completion and opening of the development.

The signage needed to do more than simply identify locations. It had to provide clear directional guidance throughout the building while also meeting safety requirements and remaining visible during low-light conditions.

A further challenge was that the client wanted illuminated signage without relying on electricity, ongoing maintenance costs or complex installation requirements.

Great Places needed a solution that delivered:

Clear and consistent navigation throughout the building
Visibility during low-light conditions
Compliance with safety requirements
Fast turnaround times to meet project deadlines
A cost-effective alternative to electrically illuminated signage

An image of the lift and stairwell wayfinding signage.

The Solution

FASTSIGNS Manchester designed and manufactured 235 custom wayfinding signs using ACM panels cut to bespoke sizes and specifications.

To solve the illumination challenge, each sign incorporated photoluminescent material. This innovative solution absorbs natural and artificial light throughout the day before emitting a visible glow in darker conditions, allowing signage to remain clearly visible without the need for electricity.

The signs were directly printed for durability and consistency, while selected signs were mounted using stand-off locators to create a more premium appearance where required.

The result was a complete wayfinding system that combined practicality, safety and long-term cost efficiency.

An image of the window signage.

The Process

With the development approaching completion, the project required a fast turnaround from concept through to manufacture.

FASTSIGNS Manchester managed the process from initial design through production, ensuring all 235 signs were manufactured consistently and to specification.

Given the volume of signage required, careful planning was essential to maintain quality across every sign while ensuring delivery deadlines were met.

The custom nature of the signs meant every element was produced specifically for the project, allowing the wayfinding system to align perfectly with the building layout and operational requirements.

An image of the Mechanical Riser signage.

The Result

The completed signage package provided Great Places with a clear, effective and future-proof wayfinding solution ready for residents moving into the development.

The impact included:

Clear navigation throughout the building
Improved visibility in low-light conditions
A professional and cohesive appearance throughout the development
Reduced reliance on electrically illuminated signage
A ready-to-use solution delivered within project deadlines

For Great Places, the project helped ensure residents could move through the building safely and confidently while providing a professional finish that complemented the wider development.

An image of the window graphics.

Key Products Used

Custom-cut ACM panels
Photoluminescent materials
Direct-to-surface printing
Stand-off locator fixings
Internal wayfinding signage systems

Smarter Wayfinding for Residential Developments

Good wayfinding signage does more than point people in the right direction. It improves accessibility, enhances safety and contributes to a better experience for everyone using a building.

FASTSIGNS Manchester helps housing providers, developers and property managers create signage systems that are practical, compliant and built to last.

Speak to our team today to discuss your next development project.