Let us help you guide the way!
Archi Graphi offers a comprehensive range of specialized services tailored to meet the unique architectural signage and wayfinding needs of diverse environments.
Regulatory Compliance and Zoning Expertise
Before beginning the design phase, we thoroughly review local jurisdiction exterior signage or art installations code restrictions to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. By proactively identifying potential hurdles, we can offer tailored solutions to address any challenges that may arise during the process. This ensures that your project moves forward smoothly without unexpected delays or complications. Additionally, we carefully verify that all interior signage, including those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meets both accessibility standards and local codes. Our approach minimizes the risk of non-compliance and guarantees that your signage is fully in line with legal and regulatory requirements, promoting safety, accessibility, and functionality throughout the project.
Wayfinding Analysis and Signage Programming
We begin by reviewing the proposed site and architectural plans to develop preliminary circulation diagrams that identify the most effective signage placements for both exterior and interior spaces. This process is designed to ensure smooth navigation throughout the facility, while also being mindful of code compliance, particularly regarding ADA accessibility requirements and municipal regulations for exterior signage. We carefully consider the flow of traffic and key decision-making points to propose optimal locations that enhance user experience and comply with all necessary codes. In addition, we create and refine both preliminary and final message schedules that align with the project’s specific needs, ensuring that the signage communicates clear and relevant information in a way that supports the functionality and aesthetic goals of the design. This comprehensive approach ensures that the signage serves its intended purpose while meeting all regulatory and project requirements.
Material Selection Expertise
We offer expert guidance in selecting the most suitable materials for your signage project, taking into account both your budget constraints and environmental durability requirements. Whether the project demands cost-effective solutions or materials that can withstand specific weather conditions, we ensure that the right choices are made to meet your needs. Additionally, we provide value engineering solutions as necessary, identifying opportunities to optimize material selection without compromising quality or performance. This approach ensures that your signage is not only functional and durable but also aligned with your financial and project goals.
Material Specification Management
We provide tailored specifications for each signage project, choosing the best approach based on the project’s needs. Performance-Based Specifications outline the required performance outcomes, offering flexibility in vendor selection and competitive pricing, though it may present challenges with inconsistent product quality or vendor reliability. Prescriptive Specifications specify exact products, vendors, or processes, ensuring consistency and quality, especially when using trusted vendors, but can lead to higher costs and limited flexibility. Standards-Based Specifications leverage established industry standards for simplicity and consistency, but place more responsibility on the contractor to cross-reference materials. These specifications guide the entire signage process, minimizing risks and ensuring the final product meets both functional and aesthetic requirements. They are provided in Master Format, the standard method for organizing construction documentation.
Detailed Construction Drawings
Our service includes the development of detailed and precise signage technical details, encompassing all necessary sections, views, and 3D renderings. This comprehensive approach ensures consistency throughout the entire signage package, providing clear guidance to signage vendors. By delivering these detailed designs, we help to guarantee that all signage elements align with the project's vision and requirements. This thorough documentation also serves to prevent any unauthorized value engineering, ensuring that any modifications to the signage are only made when explicitly requested on a per-item basis, thus maintaining the integrity and intent of the original design.
3D Design Visualization
Our 3D rendering service provides clients with a detailed and accurate visualization of designs prior to the construction phase, and as part of the final signage package. By delivering realistic, high-quality renderings, we help clients gain a comprehensive understanding of the design's proportions, materials, and functionality. This service ensures that all elements of the design are effectively communicated, allowing for informed decision-making and providing an opportunity to refine any aspects before construction begins. By utilizing these visualizations, you can confirm that the final product will meet both your aesthetic and functional goals, aligning closely with the intended vision of the project.
Fabrication Techniques Support
Our Fabrication Techniques Support service provides expert guidance in selecting and implementing the most appropriate manufacturing methods for your signage project. We assist in identifying and recommending the most suitable fabrication processes, whether it involves Thermoforming, Laser Cutting, Water-jet Cutting, CNC Routing, Screen Printing, Vinyl Cutting, Embossing/Debossing, Kelvin LED specifications, Sandblasting, 3D Printing, Metal Casting, or other advanced techniques. Ensuring that each fabrication method aligns with your design specifications, material requirements, and budget constraints, helping to streamline production while maintaining the highest quality standards. By offering tailored advice, we ensure the selected processes enhance the durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the final signage, while adhering to project timelines and cost objectives.
Shop Drawing Reviews
Our Shop Drawing Review service involves a comprehensive examination of all signage vendor drawings to identify and resolve potential issues early in the process. By thoroughly assessing design discrepancies, material inconsistencies, or construction challenges, we help mitigate the risk of costly mistakes, delays, and rework during production. This proactive review ensures that the final product is aligned with the client’s vision while also adhering to all relevant safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Through this careful analysis, we help to streamline the production process, ensuring that the project progresses smoothly and meets both aesthetic and functional requirements without compromising on compliance or design intent.
Bidding Support
/ Vendor Management
Our Vendor Selection and Bid Management service provides clients with a curated list of qualified fabricators, carefully selected based on their experience and capabilities relevant to the signage project. We assist in conducting vendor interviews to assess their expertise, ensuring they meet the necessary standards and are well-suited for the project requirements. Once suitable fabricators are identified, we manage the bid process by requesting detailed proposals in a clear and structured format. These bids are designed to provide transparent pricing and guarantee that material consistency is maintained across all submissions. Additionally, we ensure that value engineering pricing is excluded unless specifically requested by the client on a per item basis, preserving the integrity of the design and ensuring that the project stays within budget without compromising on quality.
Estimating / ROM Efforts
With strong background in estimating, we offer clients preliminary Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing before engaging any fabricators, providing an early indication of project costs. This upfront pricing allows clients to gain a clearer understanding of their budget constraints, helping to set realistic expectations for the scope and scale of the signage project. By providing ROM pricing at this stage, we enable clients to make informed decisions about material choices, design modifications, and other key project elements, ensuring that the final design and production align with both their vision and budget limitations. This service helps streamline the planning process and reduces the risk of budget overruns later in the project.
Sign Permit Documentation Prep
In certain cases, architects or General Contractors may take on the responsibility of obtaining signage permits on behalf of the client. To facilitate this process, we provide meticulously prepared permit packages tailored to meet the specific requirements of city planners, ensuring a smooth and efficient approval process. Our team ensures that all necessary documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with local regulations, helping to avoid delays and complications. Additionally, we extend this service to less experienced fabricators who may face challenges in navigating the complexities of the permit application process. By offering expert guidance and support, we help streamline the permitting process, allowing projects to proceed on schedule and in compliance with all necessary legal requirements.
Engineering Vendor Forwarding
While engineering services are typically not offered by design firms, we facilitate direct communication between our clients and a network of licensed engineers across all 50 states. If your project requires specialized engineering expertise—such as structural assessments, load calculations, or other engineering services—we connect you with the appropriate engineering professionals to ensure all necessary requirements are met. It’s important to note that while we assist in coordinating these services, the client is responsible for directly compensating the engineering consultants. This approach ensures you receive the specific expertise needed while we manage clear, direct communication with the engineering team throughout the process.
Evacuation Map Artwork
Evacuation map artwork plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of occupants by clearly indicating evacuation routes, which are essential for efficient public egress during emergencies. These maps must comply with local safety codes and regulations, and they must be approved by the fire marshal before they can be implemented. We specialize in creating precise and compliant evacuation map layouts that meet all necessary requirements for fire marshal approval. We ensure that the maps are not only accurate and easy to follow but also adhere to the specific standards set by safety codes, providing peace of mind that your facility’s evacuation procedures are clearly communicated and fully compliant with all legal and local safety requirements.