BC&CO Logo Banner. Oxford Properties Header

THE CORPORATE IDENTITY

The Corporate Signature should be adaptable to it’s use in positive and negative graphic applications.
Dark logo and script on white background displayed above a white logo and script on a darker background.
Originally retained by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to develop an architectural graphics program for Edmonton Centre, a mixed use office / retail complex in downtown Edmonton.
The Canadian Developer, OXFORD PROPERTIES then retained our services to develop a Corporate Identity program and provide architectural graphic services for all their future projects, including marketing and promotional materials.
Logo and signature with details of its construction.
The Symbol + the Logotype create the OXFORD Signature.
A row and column pattern of Oxford logos.
Repeat patterns of the symbol can be used in a variety of ways, including print and / or architectural applications.

THE GRAPHIC STANDARDS MANUAL

Original drawings and sketches showing the development of the Oxford logo.
Sketch phase for developing the OXFORD Corporate Symbol.
A 48 page Graphic Standards Manual was prepared for distribution
to all Corporate Offices in the US and Canada.
The Oxford Graphic Standards Manual shown indifferent layouts, opened and closed. Sculpture of a large letter E on a wall. The Oxford typeface alphabet, numbers, and symbols featuring space within the stroke of the characters.
The double-stroke font was developed
into a complete alphabet and numbers.

THE CORPORATE BROCHURE & FOLDER

Projects brochure opened by hands and showing the prject names on page three and tabs at right for quick reference to each.
The die-cut tabs provided a quick visual index all of OXFORD’s projects in the US and Canada.
The design of the Corporate brochure focused on the variety of OXFORD projects throughout North America. The concept of a tabbed dictionary format facilitates a quick visual reference to each project city.
EDMONTON / EDMONTON CENTER
CALGARY / TD SQUARE
CHICAGO / QUAKER TOWER / RIVERFRONT PARK
DENVER / REPUBLIC PLAZA
LOS ANGELES / CITICORP PLAZA
LOUISVILLE / THE GALLERIA
MINNEAPOLIS / MINN. CITY CENTER / IDS CENTER
ORLANDO / LAKE BUENA VISTA
ST. PAUL / TOWN SQUARE
Detail of the brochure covers featuring the Oxford logo and typeface. The fold-out brochures shown closed and folded out with multiple spines.
A less costly version of the brochure is a fold-out mailer to be sent to all prospective tenants.
Brochure page for the Dome Towers project, featuring aerial and interior images. Brochure page for Republic Plaza, featuring aerial and interior images.
Pages of projects in DENVER / Republic Plaza, Denver Square, Dome Towers
Brochure page for the IDS Center, featuring aerial and interior images. Brochure page for the City Center project, featuring aerial and interior images.
Pages of projects in MINNEAPOLIS / IDS Center, City Center

PROJECT MARKETING MATERIALS

Hand sketched layout of what Oxford's marketing brochures would look like, featuring drawings of building images and text.
A typical page by page storyboard sketch outlining a planned project brochure’s photos, section drawings, maps and text.
A collection of Oxford Properties brochures spread out on a table.
20+ Project brochures have been designed for OXFORD’s properties in the US and Canada. Averaging 8 to 12 pages, they illustrate the overall development with models, building cross-sections, floor plans, photos of local amenities and maps.
Brochure opened to a map page with translucent overlay showing distances and walking times.
Typical map style with overlay showing Time & Distance and Transportation information.
Closeup of the map as seen through the overlaid page.

EDMONTON

EDMONTON CENTER
Scale model rendition of what the building arrangement at Edmonton Center will look like.
Edmonton Center is a phased mixed-use development combining three office towers, a hotel and three levels of retail with on-site parking.
Our initial program for Oxford Properties. The development of a symbol for this project became the building block for the Oxford corporate identity program.
Three arrrows coming from top, bottom and left meeting to form the apex of the E logo symbol. Geometric drawing of the E logo symbol.
The development of a project symbol for Edmonton Center focused on combining the letter
E and three converging arrows to denote a
central focal point.
White sculpture of the E logo symbol featuring shadows to show depth and detail.
Geometric basis for symbol development
A small arrow pointing upwards to the image above it.
Dimensional application of
the symbol
Sign for the parking garage featuring the E logo, a 'PARK' script and automobile pictograms.
Parking garage entry sign
A small arrow pointing at the image to the right. People standing and walking past a construction barrier featuring a word puzzle with the Oxford typeface letters.
As part of the project marketing effort, a Word Puzzle contest was conducted using the temporary corridor walls in place during construction.
Large smiling face mural painted on a temporary wall during construction.
During the phased construction, temporary walls in the three level retail area featured large
scale painted graphics.
Overhead photo of the backlit map and directory.
Designs for dimensional backlit Directories were updated as the
project progressed.
Oxford typeface alphabet, numbers and symbols in bold. Oxford typeface alphabet, numbers and symbols in a lighter font style.
A single stroke font (bold & light) was derived from the geometry of the Oxford double stroke typeface.
Storefront signage manuals displayed on a table, with one of them open to a diagram page.
A Storefront & Signage Guidelines manual was developed for all retail spaces.

ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS

Closeup of an elevator door with a hand pointing to the repeat pattern of Oxford logos.
Etched in stainless steel elevator doors
The symbol’s form and double stroke typography were then used in a variety of architectural applications for all future projects. The double stroke alphabet's geometry simplified fabrication.
The raised Oxford logo and typeface as it looks on a wall.
A dimensional wall treatment at corporate headquarters
Closeup of a door pull with Oxford logo with a hand nearby.
Etched on glass door handles
A woman ooking at rounded rectangular signs on a wall. A small arrow pointing at the image to the left.
Etched Floor Level panels are paired with Tenant Directories identifying individual tenants. A changeable slat system allows for periodic updates.
Wall or door mounted Pictogram Signs identify services, stairways and other utilities. Braille and symbol are dimensional to meet all (ADA) building codes for the handicapped.
A small arrow pointing at the image to the right. Closeup of pictogram signs featuring two identifying the mens room.

OTHER APPLICATIONS

Construction helmet featuring Oxford logo at front.
Construction helmets & equipment
Leather folder with Oxford logo in the upper corner, tucked beneath an arm.
Project binders, folders and briefs
The Corporate symbol used in a variety of Promotional & Marketing items.
Pair of glass coffee mugs with Oxford logos.
Marketing items such as etched glassware
Closeup of cufflink on a sleeve featuring Oxford logo. Hand holding a tape measure featuring Oxford logo.
Assorted promotional items

TYPICAL PROJECT ELEMENTS

OXFORD retained BC&CO to develop Wayfinding graphics and information systems for 9 major retail / office tower complexes in the US and CANADA.
Items included Project Symbols, Environmental Graphics, Interior Signage, Directories, Parking & Tenant Graphics. Typical examples shown below.

CHICAGO

QUAKER TOWER / RIVERFRONT PARK
A woman using the interactive directory in the lobby of Quaker Tower.
Interactive Directory for Quaker Tower
The numbers 25 - 34 on the wall representing the floors that the elevator serviced. A small arrow pointing at the image to the left.
Single stroke numbers
identify elevator banks.
The Quaker Symbol, as the major tenant, is adapted in a variety of applications. All other graphics and signage use the standard OXFORD design elements.
Elevator doors showing the etched repeat pattern of the Quaker Symbol.
Etched stainless steel elevator doors
The Quaker symbol as seen through the clear glass alongside an escalator.
Etched glass escalator wall
The logo and typeface for the Riverfront Park project.
Riverside Park symbol & logotype
The logo and typace cut into a stone wall at Riverfront Park. A small arrow pointing at the image to the right.
The Riverside Park Symbol was developed for the project amenity along the Chicago River.

DENVER

REPUBLIC PLAZA / DENVER SQUARE
Original Denver Square brochure featuring aerial drawing of the complex.
Tabbed Denver Square brochure with an architectural model photo dropped into a rendered view of downtown Denver.
Included building cross-section, floor plans and map. The project was later renamed Republic Plaza.
Original Denver Square logo featuring the letters of the script with mountains in the foreground.
Initial proposal for project logotype. Project name later changed.
Sketch showing granite wall with linear mountain range graphic.
Two proposals for Rocky Mountain wall mural at entry.
Typical directory for retail mall
Typical directory assembly for retail layouts shown in a lobby or central square.
Project Entry Sign / Planter
Drawing of the planned street corner planter with Republic Plaza written in stone above it.
Parking Garage Directionals
Scale model of the Republic Plaza parking garage. Model showing linear mountain range in three dimensions. Small arrow pointing upward at the above image.
Above: Dimensional build up of individual layers. Both concepts were rejected for cost considerations.
Small arrow pointing at the image to the left.
Left: Etched marble with off white filled graphic.

LOS ANGELES

PACIFIC PLAZA / CITICORP PLAZA / PLAZA COURT
Overhead photograph of the plaza trellis design in steel and glass between the buildings.
Projected to be a complex of three Office Towers, the Identity program focused on the multi-level retail component on Figueroa between 7th. and 8th. Streets.
The project symbol evolved from the linear “Trellis” structure marking the Plaza Court retail entrance at street level.
The final logo for the Plaza Court development. Rejected logo featuring three skyscrapers. Rejected logo featuring a double P design. Rejected logo featuring a single P design.
The three initial symbol concepts for
Pacific Plaza were rejected after the project’s name was changed to Citicorp Plaza.
A line of different color flags flying on flagpoles with the plaza court logo on them.
The project symbol design was modified for use on promotional banners and flags.
SCale model featuring a man looking up at a large circular brick outdoor ventilation vent with the Plaza Court logo on it.
Retail identity applied to streetside vent tower.

MINNEAPOLIS

MINNEAPOLIS CITY CENTER
Minneapolis City Center logo and typeface signature.
Minneapolis City Center signature
Original hand sketch of the logo in pencil.
“M” Sketch
Finished blue logo with white background.
“M” repeats eight times to create symbol.
Opening day hand folder, folded up in a triangle. Opening day hand folder, partially opened. Opening day hand folder, fully opened.
Opening day handout
People entering through the doors into the retail mall.
Identification at entry
to retail mall
Woman looking at a raised three level directory by an escalator.
Backlit Directory, located at all escalators, listing shops on three levels of the mall.
An assortment of folders, booklet and a large bags featuring the City Center logo and signature.
A variety of promotional items prepared
for the project’s opening day.

SAINT PAUL

TOWN SQUARE
Logo and typeface signature etched on a large glass window in the public park.
The Town Square symbol evolved from the terraced Public Park that was part of the retail complex.
The Saint Paint Town Square logo on a wall beneath an escalator.
The project symbol applied to interior walls and glazing
Model of the canopy into the office and retail complex featuring logo and script.
Variations of the symbol were used on canvas canopies to identify the multiple entries to the Office & Retail complex.
Canopy over an entrance featuring a retail sign standard saying Casual Corner.
Retail sign standards were set using backlit oval signs.
Closeup of a no parking sign mounted to a ceiling.
Parking Garage graphics were also developed for the complex, which included two Office Towers, a Radisson Plaza Hotel, a three level 236,000 square foot retail area and a 500 car parking garage. The 30,000 square foot Town Square Park was a project amenity open to the public.

CONCLUSION

Our twenty year involvement with Oxford Properties ended with their sale to Bell Canada Enterprise Development (BCED).