Nearly a century ago, Provident Mutual Insurance Company broke ground on undeveloped land on Market Street with aspirations of building a workplace utopia. Headlined by the stunning neoclassical Provident Building, this vision stood realized for nearly six decades!

Today, Iron Stone Real Estate Partners honors the legacy of their Market Street campus as they transform it into a dynamic and sustainable home for nonprofit and for-profit resources that strengthen individuals, families, communities, and the local economy. But a lot has changed over the past 100 years. Understanding the need to create a better experience for its guests, Iron Stone challenged D2 to design and implement an exterior signage and wayfinding strategy that moves people seamlessly throughout the multitenant property.

To begin, D2 examined the project drivers, limitations, and opportunities. Knowing high-profile anchor tenants, including Public Health Management Corporation, the region’s public health institute, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto Elementary were already engaged, highlighting their brands was paramount. And, with multiple brands comes various visitor objectives. Our problem emerged: ensure employees and visitors of the property will clearly understand the navigation specific to their journey.

With no existing signage at the location, D2 collaborated with ownership and tenants to identify access points to the building and parking lot entrances. Using a color-coded system, buildings and lots were linked with individualized bold colorways — a simple way to establish user recognition and wayfinding communication.

Vibrant colors and sleek finishes juxtapose the historic neoclassical architecture, while patterns inspired by the intricate details weave into the design. Incorporating historic beauty into the signage links the aesthetics, bringing 4601 full circle from past to present.