Chelster Hall
Maybe it’s my background experience working on some very interesting and challenging brand projects as a graphic designer doing corporate signage, but I really enjoy integrating this skill into personalizing home brand.
When I first met with Hugo Powell, former CEO of Interbrew, he asked me if I knew what “ito grandis vel ito domum” meant in English? I didn’t. He graciously responded, “It means go big or go home.” For a moment I wasn’t sure if that was a a creative challenge or his personal mantra. Maybe it was both.
Chelster Hall, one of Canada’s largest personal residences on Lake Ontario, had just been completed (architect: Bill Hicks). The design of this remarkable property was inspired by Hugo’s boyhood memories of Blickling Hall, growing up in Norfolk, England.
I was approached to design two cast bronze plaques for mounting on the front brick wall, one for the house itself and the other for the Chapel of St. Francis, a personal sanctuary located on the property.
Coming from the world of brand he understood the importance of capturing the imagination and telling a story. He wanted a brief narrative that encapsulated his vision for the main house and the chapel, as well as an illustrated accompaniment for each. Much of this work was amortized into other brand elements, such as a personalized foil stamped stationery set and a custom designed book among other things on the list.
I picked up on the Dutch gable details and other architectural inspiration from both structures to inform the design of the sign shapes. It started with a marker rendering, selecting and art directing American illustrator, Steven Noble, writing copy and refining the design of the typography. I sourced a bronze casting foundry in Pittsburgh, PA and traveled there to oversee the project.
It was an honour to be entrusted with this unique opportunity.
RIC RIORDON
