Services: Signage & Wayfinding
Schwabe
Wayfinding, Elevated
When Schwabe relocated its Portland headquarters, the firm invested in a workplace buildout that feels more boutique hospitality than traditional law office. Designed by Ankrom Moisan, the interiors are layered, sophisticated, and beautifully detailed. Think Joule was brought in to create a signage program that would support wayfinding while contributing to the beauty of the overall experience.
Spanning three floors, our work included programming, concept development, material studies, sign scheduling, fabrication coordination, and production management.
Project Partners
Ankrom Moisan
Sign Wizards
Security Signs
JLL
A Grand Entrance
The reception sign serves as the centerpiece of the signage program. Halo-lit channel letters in brushed gold metal float against a dramatic blue tile backdrop, creating an impactful arrival experience.
Bringing it to life required careful collaboration between design and fabrication. Schwabe's logo featured stroke widths too fine for traditional channel-letter construction, so we refined the artwork to meet manufacturing requirements while preserving the integrity of the brand.
From light temperature and finish standards to installation sequencing and field coordination, every detail was considered to ensure the final result delivered exactly the right impression.
An Architectural Approach
Early design exploration focused on finding a visual language that felt naturally aligned to the interiors and FFE. We studied a range of sign families, materials, finishes and profiles before arriving at a system that felt both understated and memorable.
The final direction pairs matte black forms with softly rounded edges and warm gold accents for a look that is confident, tailored, and distinctly Schwabe.
A True Sense of Place
Schwabe chose to name its conference rooms after beloved Oregon and Portland parks. We extended that idea through a family of custom blade signs that bring character and local identity into the everyday experience of navigating the office.
The Look of Luxury
Behind the scenes, we worked closely with the fabricator to refine materials, mounting methods and production techniques that would deliver the desired aesthetic.
The result is a system that achieves the richness of brushed metal through expertly finished acrylic and rowmark components, capturing the warmth and sophistication of premium materials without the cost or structural weight.
The Result
A signage system that feels like a natural extension of the architecture, thoughtfully guiding visitors while reinforcing the level of care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail found throughout the office.
