14.0 Signage
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Communications and advertising are an essential part of carrying out a business. However, identifying and promoting businesses and services should be undertaken in a manner that does not have a detrimental effect on, but generally reinforces, the historic cultural significance of a place. Signs can detract from the appreciation of buildings, townscapes and landscapes. Care is needed to locate new signs so that they respect the architectural features of a building and do not intrude upon the visual qualities of the streetscape. A new sign should never dominate the heritage values of a place.
14.1 Installing temporary signs
Where the sign:
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has no physical impact upon the place (ie: where no holes are drilled into heritage fabric);
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has no impact upon archaeological values; or
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is temporary in nature (eg: a real estate sign or an election sign) and can be installed without altering or damaging heritage fabric.
| Where the sign:
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may be in place longer than six months or indefinitely;
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may impact on the place, including impact on archaeological values.
Appropriate outcomes:
Fixings for signs should be non-corrosive and placed into mortar joints and not the face of bricks or stonework to allow removal without causing damage to significant fabric. |
14.2 Replacing an existing sign
Where:
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there is no change to the size, volume or area of an existing sign; and
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any changes to graphic/logo, text/name, colour of an existing sign is sympathetic with the heritage appearance or character of the place.
| Replacing an existing sign where the new sign is of different size, volume, area or is not sympathetic to the values of the place.
Appropriate outcomes:
See section ‘14.3 New signs’ for appropriate outcomes. |
14.3 New Signs
| Name plates and other small sympathetic signs that do not impact on heritage fabric. | New signs
Appropriate outcomes:
New signs should be sympathetic to the heritage significance of the place in terms of placement, size, number of signs, materials and colour. The imitation of historic sign forms and designs is not necessary.
Avoid proliferation of signs at a heritage place.
Corporate image requirements may have an adverse impact on the heritage significance of some buildings. Reducing the size or restricting placement of signs may be conditioned.
Placing new signs in the traditional location of such signage is preferred. This will differ between places, but signs have traditionally been placed: on the front or side of awnings; on parapet panels above and below cornices; on string course bands; on spandrel panels below windows and on ground floor piers; above or on ground and first floor windows; and on side walls, panels and fences. Buildings should generally not have projecting signs placed above awning level.
Installing freestanding signs may be an appropriate option. However, the installation should not impact on significant archaeological values.
Internally illuminated signs and sky signs are generally not appropriate.
A tenancy board should be used instead of individual signs where a building has more than two tenants. For complex multi-tenancies a signage policy setting out the intentions for the whole place should be provided by the applicant.
Fixings for signs should be non-corrosive and placed into mortar joints and not the face of bricks or stonework to allow removal without causing damage to significant fabric.
Adhesives should not be used to fix signs directly to historic fabric.
Painting new signs over previously unpainted surfaces is not acceptable. |
14.4 Old Signs
What is eligible for a certificate of exemption?
(ie: work that will have no impact or only negligible impact on the significance of the place) | When is a discretionary permit application required by the Tasmanian Heritage Council and what are appropriate outcomes? |
Removing an existing sign where the sign has no historic heritage significance.
Repainting or renovating an existing non-historic sign in its original design, format and materials. | Removal, alteration or destruction of historically significant signs
Appropriate outcomes:
Significant old signs (ie: historic signs, including obsolete 'ghost' signs) should be conserved as part of the history of the place. Where removal is consented to, an extant recording may be required.
Renovating historically significant obsolete signage should be avoided where the sign does not relate to the current use of the place or will have an adverse impact on other heritage values of a place. Conservation including infill painting of missing detail may be appropriate in some cases.
Historical layering of signs can occur provided they do not adversely damage the significant qualities of the building or townscape. |
| Renovating signs with no historical significance that may adversely impact the heritage values of a place.
Appropriate outcomes:
See section '14.3 New signs' for appropriate outcomes. |
Case Study (New Signage): A historic church, Sandy Bay
A new signage regime was installed at the Wellspring Anglican Church in Sandy Bay following the completion of a major new extension. New signs were placed on each frontage. The signs were of a contemporary design with quality layout and finishes. The signs were either freestanding, or fixed to new structures, therefore avoiding damage to historic fabric.
Case Study (New Signage): Salamanca Square, Hobart
A sympathetic signage solution was found for the Hobart Bookshop. Located in an historic warehouse building, the business sign was placed on the lintel above the door. This is a contemporary sign that reflects traditional conventions whilst avoiding the need to damage or obscure significant historic fabric.
