Federation Square

Federation Square is one of Melbourne’s busiest public spaces. Diadem was engaged to ensure its signage keeps everyone moving in the right direction.

Diadem oversaw the installation of signage and highly technical totems, designed to blend in with the precinct’s architecture

Client	Federation Square Management
Design	Emery Studio
Architecture	LAB Architecture

Signage for
an iconic civic space

Home to major cultural attractions, world-class events and tourism, Federation Square is Melbourne’s contemporary piazza. Since opening in 2002, more than 100 million people have visited.

Diadem was engaged to oversee the installation of highly technical totems throughout the precinct. The placement of the signage, designed by the architects, needed to complement the architecture and not feel out of place.

Resolving
technical challenges

Diadem undertook technical work early in the process to ensure manufacture and implementation was smooth. This included resolving issues around placing totems above a significant section of the city’s train lines, which required design engineering expertise, and maintaining public safety.

As well as wayfinding, one of the totems was initially designed as an experience device. It was fitted with a camera and screen which enabled the ‘Square 2 Square’ video link-up when Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick visited Melbourne in 2005. The totem connected Federation Square to Denmark’s Radhuspladsen in Copenhagen.

The heart
of the city