External Architectural Neon Signage for The General, Bristol

External neon signage for The General, Bristol

Anyone that has driven along Coronation road recently will have noticed that ‘Chic City Living’ neon sign that lights up the Iron Foundry.

Bristol Live

Award-winning heritage developer City and Country approached Carousel Lights, asking for our help with the external signage on The Iron Foundry. Consisting of 16 contemporary 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, The Iron Foundry forms part of the development of former Bristol hospital The General. We were delighted to have been appointed as neon supplier.

External neon design process

Working with the client from the outset, various design ideas were discussed. The two initial thoughts were either;

• Lifesize outlines of human figures on the balconies
• Large text in removable panels

After discussing the production and installation options, the text option was decided on, which meant the client could remove the pre-mounted neon panels and reinstall as they chose fit.

The Foundry, Bristol neon sign specification

Crisp cold white 15mm 6500K real glass was chosen for all of the neon elements. With CHIC CITY LIVING measuring 9.3m (w) x 1.0m (h) and CITYANDCOUNTRY.CO.UK measuring 7.5m (w) x 0.5m (h), the neon glass had to be produced from nay different sections. Each straight of neon is manufactured at 1.5m long, and whilst sections can be joined together, they can become unwieldy to handle. This meant that there are multiple sections of glass.

All of the glass was mounted inside trough panels which were powdercoated RAL 7022 ‘Umbra Gray’.

Neon sign installation, The Foundry, Bristol

Access equipment enabled a specialist neon installation team to locate the empty panels onto the facade of the building. The neon tube supports had already been located into position onto the steel tray mounts, but in order to reduce the risk of breakage, the neon glass wasn’t fixed into position on the panels until it was securely in place.

The 5 specialist Siet transformers were located discretely near the signs, but still whilst allowing access should it be required for maintenance.

Carousel Lights were honoured to be appointed to prodce the external signage for The Foundry, Bristol, and The General went on to win Heritage Project of The Year at the Michelmore’s property awards.