London groups win Bristol job

London consultancies PSD Associates and MetaDesign have been appointed to create a signage, street furniture and identity programme for Bristol City Council.

The project, which has been dubbed the Legible City initiative, is part of the Bristol 2000 development plan, which focuses on regenerating the city centre.

The consultancies, appointed separately but liaising on the project, are working with urban planning consultant Urban Initiatives. UI is the “link” with the council and project manager, says PSD associate director Marion Kelly, having completed a detailed feasibility study for the project. It is handling the signing and information plan.

PSD is developing the “movement and information component manual”, says Kelly. It has 12 weeks to create concepts for the structural elements of the scheme to enable the council to seek funding. These elements include bus shelters, information points and ferry landing stages.

MetaDesign is meanwhile creating the “visual concept and information design”, having won a three-way credentials pitch against CDT Design and Henrion Ludlow & Schmidt.

Says MetaDesign director Tim Fendley, Bristol City Council is “really forward-thinking” in its approach to the initiative.

The council is believed to have trawled local and non-Bristol groups for the project.