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Case study · Signage · Funchal · 2025 to 2026

Signage for the Complexo Social de Santa Clara.

Abstract

A system of pictograms that reflects the graphic line of the Santa Casa logo visually organises the new Complexo Social de Santa Clara, for residents, technical staff and visitors, across the five floors, from directional wayfinding to critical safety signage.

39 pictograms201 pieces5 floors3 user profiles

    urbanistas

    Português

    Case study · Signage · Funchal · 2025 to 2026

    Signage for the Complexo Social de Santa Clara.

    Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Funchal · Design

    Abstract

    A system of pictograms that reflects the graphic line of the Santa Casa logo visually organises the new Complexo Social de Santa Clara, for residents, technical staff and visitors, across the five floors, from directional wayfinding to critical safety signage.

    39 pictograms · 201 pieces · 5 floors · 3 user profiles

    § 1 The routes

    Think

    Before the drawing, the routes: the plan of each floor with the flow of residents and visitors and the numbered position of each sign.

    Plan of floor 3 in two parts, the residents’ area in blue and the technical area in grey, with the numbered positions of the signs.
    Fig. 1 Floor 3: the flow of residents and visitors and the flow of staff, with the numbered signs.

    § 2 Experimentation

    Experiment

    Two options for the directory, one with a line and the other with spacing. And the pictograms in the third sketching phase: Design D, with variants for reception, car park, bedrooms, residences, multipurpose room and snoezelen, and the note “symbols with pending changes”.

    Open sketchbook with pencil figures of a man and a woman and the note “line”.Sketchbook page with variations of the WC figures, shaded in pencil.Sketches of the fire extinguisher and the accessibility symbol, with the wheelchair in several versions.
    Fig. 2 The pictograms in the sketchbook: figures, fire extinguisher and accessibility, in pencil.
    Grid of sixteen pictograms, the WC and lift figures drawn in versions A, B, C and D.
    Fig. 3 Exploration of the WC and lift figures, in four designs (A to D).
    “Design D” board with the pictograms from 01 to 39 and the variants, the safety and prohibition ones in red.
    Fig. 4 The Design D pictograms, with the variants of each one.
    The pictograms numbered up to 39 and the signs with variants.
    Fig. 5 Pictograms, third sketching phase (Design D).

    § 3 The system

    Create

    A set of 39 pictograms organises the complex through 201 pieces of signage. The family of symbols serves the different user profiles across the five floors, from directional and informative wayfinding to critical safety and prohibition signage.

    Board of the 39 final pictograms, each with its name in English and its code, from WC to directional arrows.The directional arrows and three signs: Saída / Exit, Rampa / Ramp and Centro de dia / Day centre, with Braille.
    Fig. 6 The pictograms and the pictograms on the signs.
    The Santa Casa pictograms in sequence: accessibility, WC, stairs, no entry, reception, day centre, offices, great hall, residences.
    Fig. 7 The pictograms in motion.

    § 4 Production

    Create

    With Publinsular, manufacturing methods that combine the comfort and organic contrast of the form with the modernity and durability of acrylic: a CNC Ball Nose perimeter finish and resin (Doming) on the raised elements, for a smooth and safe tactile reading.

    Material
    Acrylic
    Finish
    CNC Ball Nose · resin (Doming) on the raised elements
    Production
    Publinsular
    Exploded view of a WC / Toilets sign: the blue acrylic cut-outs come down onto the white base, with a detail of the rounded relief.The WC / Toilets sign from the front and in profile, 10 mm base and 2 mm relief, with details of the lettering and the Braille.
    Fig. 8 Mock-ups of the acrylic sign: the cut-outs glued to the base, the CNC edges and the CNC or resin (Doming) finish, also on the Braille.
    The workshop table with the bench magnifier, scattered letters and numbers, stacked signs and an LED bar.Raised letters and numbers, blue and cream, scattered on the white table.Hands gluing letters onto bilingual signs: Elevador de serviço, Sacristia, Zona técnica, Apoio técnico.
    Fig. 9 In the workshop: the assembly table, the raised letters and the bilingual signs being assembled letter by letter.
    Blue and cream raised letters sorted into piles, beside the sheet of pictograms.Cut white pictograms and arrows and the Copa limpa / Service pantry sign.General view of the workbench with Sala nobre / Great hall and WC signs.
    Fig. 10 Raised letters sorted into piles, cut pictograms and arrows, the Braille under the magnifier and the workbench.

    § 5 Implementation and scale

    Create

    Mounting height
    1.40 m
    Outdoor totem
    0.40 × 1.40 m
    Directory
    0.55 × 1.50 m
    Braille
    Precision acrylic spheres

    § 6 The sign

    Create

    The symbol and “Santa Casa” in welded metal; the letters of “da Misericórdia do Funchal” as box letters, unassembled and already lit with LED.

    Elevation of the façade with the dimensions and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Funchal sign under “Complexo Social de Santa Clara”.
    Fig. 11 The sign on the façade of the Complexo Social de Santa Clara: 4.53 × 1.24 m, in illuminated white monoblock.
    The symbol and “Santa Casa” in metal letters, on the workbench.White box letters of “da Misericórdia do Funchal”, unassembled.The same letters lit, with LED wires.
    Fig. 12 The sign in the workshop: welded metal, box letters, LED.

    § 7 People involved

    • Nuno Serrão, Creative Director
    • Ana Bettencourt, Designer
    • Pedro Barreto, Production Manager
    • Publinsular, Production

    § 8 Other areas of the project

    • Branding

      The new identity of a 518-year-old brand.

    Contacts

    Phone
    965 723 315
    Email
    info@urbanistas.pt
    Address
    Startup Madeira, EV 167, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal
    Instagram
    @urbanistas.pt