Urbahn Architects, a leader in architecture and planning for over 60 years, is a full-service architectural design firm. Founded in 1946, the firm was built upon the guiding values that the practice of architecture requires contributing to society-at-large, as well as providing clients with the highest level of professional services.

Poulin + Morris designed a new comprehensive branding and graphic identity program for the firm which includes stationery, administrative forms, announcements, marketing brochures, design standards for the preparation of qualifications, proposals, master plan, and project-related documents, as well as a website. A Style Manual with accompanying electronic templates was also developed as a reference guide for staff members.

Functioning as the program’s primary launch component, their new website needed to appear as a natural extension and expression of the firm’s new branding program. Poulin + Morris conducted a review, audit, and analysis of their existing website, as well as an in-depth analysis of the firm’s history, philosophy, design approach, and competition. The designers’ solutions relied upon creating an integrated, recognizable, and user-friendly site which communicates a clean, contemporary, memorable, and singular, cohesive message. The site allows visitors to access a comprehensive portfolio of projects, including multiple images and narrative text, as well as detailed background information on the firm’s key personnel. Narrative and visual messages are concise statements intended to facilitate easy user interaction and eliminate excessive scrolling. Contemporary, serif typography and a distinctive color palette are used to reflect the firm’s work, which is contextual, modern, functional, and timeless.

Through a collaborative process with Urbahn Architects’ senior staff members, Poulin + Morris developed a website reflective of the firm’s philosophy, approach, and practice, as well as a cohesive communication, marketing, and business development tool to enhance their competitive advantage.

www.urbahn.com