Republic Wayfinding

Docklands, East India Quay, London 2023

Addressing the challenge of a mixed-use education campus isolated from the local community by an original boundary wall and surrounding infrastructure, the Republic project in London's Docklands features a placemaking and wayfinding strategy. This strategy creates a temporary 'breadcrumb trail' around the site, encouraging increased engagement from the local community and visitors, and granting the campus greater visibility and a wider reach, to emphasise its position as a vibrant cultural and business hub.

East India Dock, formerly a commercial dock for the linoleum trade, was in use until 1967. It has since been redeveloped as part of the wider docklands regeneration. More recently, it underwent a rebrand to establish itself as a cultural and business hub within a short distance of the City of London.

The campus is strategically located in a pocket surrounded by the Blackwall Tunnel approach and major roads leading out of the capital. While the dock boasts its own DLR station, it is nevertheless separated from the local community by an original boundary wall and surrounding infrastructure.

A placemaking and wayfinding strategy was developed to create a temporary 'breadcrumb trail' around the site. This encourages the local community and visitors to increase their engagement with the site. It also grants the campus greater visibility and a wider reach. The trail guides visitors through the heart of the campus, drawing cues from Republic’s identity as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods and local community.

Real Estate Consultant: Maddox & Co