Greeting visitors at the entrance to No. 1 Wimpole Street, WC1 is a hand painted signage artwork by Acrylicize that’s just one of many indications that you’re stepping into the new home of Coca-Cola UK.
Home to some 300 employees, the 1920s building has undergone a complete redesign with award-winning architectural design firm MoreySmith at the helm. Award-winning art studio Acrylicize worked alongside MoreySmith to create a bespoke art scheme for the space, which includes a mezzanine, loft and expansive rooftop garden.
But forget a few logos here and there and framed historical achievements on the walls; in order to convey and suitably capture the energy and history of the iconic brand, Acrylicize designed and created an extensive heritage display wall. Focusing on a mix of the old and new, archive items sit alongside brand-new art installations that reflect a modern take on the brand.
Featuring handmade art installations, memorabilia items, iconic advertising and retro imagery plus neon art features, the wall, which runs through the centre of the building and across three storeys, is a lesson in branding 101 for employees to engage with and possibly even learn a few little-known stories from the brand’s history.
From hand painted Coca-Cola signage by a crack team flown in from the USA and UK, to memorabilia handpicked from the Atlanta archive, there is no historical stone left unturned.
Further along the wall is a bespoke intelligent LED screen, made from 4,500 recycled Coca-Cola bottles, displaying a series of bespoke themed visuals designed by acrylicize.