The ‘Welcome Sign’ project was part of a series of events celebrating London’s first ‘Borough of Culture’ year, which took place in Waltham Forest in 2019. These signs are the first thing that visitors to the borough will see, so we aimed to create something unique to Waltham Forest—something that reflects its industrial heritage while also highlighting its current role as a hub for creative industries in London.

The signs are designed as a modular system that can be adapted for various gateway locations throughout the borough. The structure consists of a universal column that supports an illuminated silhouette of a saw-tooth roof, a common feature of industrial buildings. This column incorporates both permanent and temporary elements, including street names, local walking and cycling maps, and space for hanging street banners. To date, signs have been installed in four locations, marking the main gateways into the borough from the west and south.

This project was developed in close collaboration with the LBWF Highways team.

To date, signs have been installed in four locations, marking the main gateways into the borough from the west and south.