2009 International Sign Contest: Commercial Building Signs

FIRST PLACE (TIE)

This 34 x 61-in., 3-D sign’s fulsome reverse curls on the capitals, plus the sweeping ascenders and descenders, set against the art-nouveau-style-lettered “Grille,” reflect the handcrafted passions of Brook Valley. Sign It Signs and Design used a Gerber 408 Sabre router and Gerber Omega software to craft the HDU letters, handcarved the HDU leaves and applied 23k goldleaf. The mountain background was sculpted from HDU and painted with Sikka exterior-latex paints.

FIRST PLACE (TIE)

The main text of this 16 x 113-ft. ID sign comprises stainless steel, which was sprayed red; 19mm plastic was applied, then gilded with 24k goldleaf. The letters were then fitted to a cream Dibond® material outline. The main text and the smaller text were fitted to a clear, Perspex acrylic-sheet background to raise it off the main fascia. The Dibond centerpiece circle was sprayed before black and matte-gold vinyl were applied.

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The circular part of the train and the funnel comprise stainless steel, which was gilded, while the other parts comprise 10- and 19mm plastic. The grate was made from folded Dibond composite material. A black-glass smalt finish helps the train appear to pop out.

SECOND PLACE

For this upscale restaurant and cocktail bar in Rochester, NY, Extira® wood-based composite and Dibond composite were CNC-cut on a Flexicam router using ArtCAM software. Dimensional elements with automotive finishes stand out against a stainless-steel background. LonoWood used SAi’s Flexi Sign-Pro software to design the sign. Norbert Hausner of NH Architecture served as project architect.

THIRD PLACE

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The 30-in.-high x 8-ft.-wide curved frame’s delicate ornaments were cut out on a Gerber Sabre router. Sign It used Gerber Omega software to design the ¾-in.-thick MDO and HDU letters, and handcarved the HDU leaves and applied 23k goldleaf.

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