Technical note: Signs and signwriting

Historical note

Many listed buildings were designed for commercial use and display historic signage or advertisements of some sort. The interest of signage and signs often lies in the historic and artistic quality of the design. The use of hand painted, raised, stove enamelled, gilded and mosaic lettering can all be found on listed buildings. Early examples of historic signage tend to be simple and functional, while later signage in the Victorian Period makes more use of elaborate materials and designs, such as gilding and mosaic work. The appearance of traditional or period fonts can add to the understanding of the social and architectural history of a building and as evidence of its historic changes over time.

Historic signage was often handpainted on the fascia, on the building gable or even on the roof and as a result is vulnerable to damage and loss.

Only in recent years have modern materials such as plastic, PVC and illuminated signage been used for signage. Often, new signage was applied over earlier signage so careful removal of modern work may reveal historic signs on a building. Historic road signage often forms an important part of the character of listed buildings and care should be taken to ensure any changes do not obscure this layer of the building’s character.

Design guidelines - general approach

For published Departmental policy on signs and listed buildings consult BH13 of Planning Policy Statement 6. 

Where historic signage remains, care should be taken to repair and conserve it. There are often good records and old photographs of the signs which can inform reinstatement of architectural features. 

New signage should complement the character and proportions of the listed building, and its setting in the streetscape. In particular, the design of signage at ground floor should not obscure the overall character of the building and the visual relationship between the ground and upper floors of the building. 

The use of corporate colours, standard designs, detailing and materials as well as illuminated signs, fascias and lettering is rarely appropriate to the character of a listed building.

Materials

Use high quality materials and finish. 

The use of satin anodised aluminium and various forms of acrylic sheeting are discouraged on listed buildings. 

Consider first the design of the building as the basis for design of signage. Avoid standard corporate signage.

Design

Generally the less information displayed the better the visual impact. This can also apply to hanging or panel-type signs. 

Advertising by means of paper panels affixed to the inside of display windows is discouraged. It is helpful to regulate the positioning of signs on the face of a building by defining a signable area or by having clear zones for signs. This applies to all positions such as fascias, windows and walls. The type of material selected should compliment those used for the shopfront. Generally internally illuminated fascias or individually illuminated letters are unacceptable. Use of wash-down lighting or spotlighting will be considered if used in a restrained fashion.

Lettering

The choice of lettering should be influenced by the style of the building concerned, the design of the shopfront and the nature of the business. Hand-painted lettering is eminently suitable and may take a variety of forms. The tradition of using three dimensional letters made of timber or metal may be perpetuated. In certain circumstances silk-screened or stove-enamelled panels may be accepted. Matt finishes should be used. Signs which have been included as part of an original architectural design should be retained and restored if required. Lettering and decorative signs painted directly onto the inside of the surface of windows can be attractive. Traditional gold leaf edged in black is most suitable but care should be exercised over positioning, style and size of lettering.

Guidelines for buildings subdivided by multiple tenancy

Where the domestic character of an individual building or a group is to be conserved, signs could be limited to projecting hanging signs, plaques at the entrance door or lettering on the glass of the windows. 

Projecting signs to be limited to half the size of the predominant first floor window type in that elevation. 

Plaques to be limited to a maximum of 250 mm x 250 mm and where there is to be more than one, the second and subsequent plaques should be the same size and shape as the first, made of the same material and have lettering of a similar size. 

Fascia signs only to be approved where a definite display window is part of the approved design. The size of the sign is to relate to the architectural features of the elevation in question.

The number of signs to be limited to: 

• one fascia sign per display window 
• one hanging sign per entrance door (although the location of the sign need not be adjacent to this door)

Useful contacts / further reading

• Policy BH13 The Control Of Advertisments on Listed Buildings. Planning Policy Statement 6, Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, 1999. 
• Conservation Area Guides, Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, various
• English Shops and Shopping – an Architectural History, Kathryn Morrison, English Heritage / Yale University Press, 2004. 
• Shopfront Design Guide, Dublin Corporation, 2001