London’s cultural landscape has witnessed the evolution of many iconic landmarks, but few have undergone such a dramatic transformation as the Printworks building in Canada Water. Once the bustling home of the Daily Mail and Evening Standard printing presses, the space, steeped in industrial history, has been reimagined as a dynamic cultural venue, Printworks London, since 2017. However, its journey doesn’t stop there. Now, it’s time for another evolution—one that honors the past while boldly looking toward the future. This is where The Grand Press steps in.
In collaboration with British Land, Dixon Baxi, a renowned London-based design studio, embarked on a journey to create a new brand identity for this iconic space. Their goal was clear: to capture the spirit of The Grand Press’s rich heritage while positioning it as a bold cultural force for the years to come. The result? A brand that perfectly balances nostalgia and modernity, a visual identity that speaks to the building’s storied past while embracing the innovation of its future.
A Heritage Inspired by Industry
The essence of The Grand Press’s visual identity is rooted in the building’s industrial past. The Printworks was a place of mechanical precision, where large printing presses hummed day and night to produce some of the UK’s most influential publications. This raw, functional beauty became the inspiration for the new brand’s design system. By drawing on the contrast between the building’s utilitarian signage and the weathered textures of its concrete and metal surfaces, the designers crafted a brand that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
At the heart of The Grand Press’s visual identity is the logo. Derived from the original signage that once adorned the building, it is emblematic of the industrial past but crafted with an eye toward the future. The logo’s simplicity and confidence reflect the building’s strength, while its geometric structure allows it to function as a flexible device. Whether it’s housing imagery, text, or color, the logo’s form remains versatile and timeless—aptly representing a building that has transformed from industrial hub to cultural landmark.
Precision in Every Detail
The Grand Press’s brand identity doesn’t stop with the logo. Every element of the design system is carefully curated to reflect the space’s historical context while embracing a modern sensibility. A crucial aspect of this design evolution is the typography. The chosen typeface, GT Cinetype, is bold and utilitarian, echoing the building’s mechanical precision. It carries a certain weight and clarity that helps tell the story of The Grand Press at any scale. The type’s faceted details add drama when enlarged, creating an imposing presence, while smaller text retains the elegance and readability necessary for detailed storytelling.
The typographic choices are complemented by a color palette derived from the building’s physical materials—iron, concrete, and stone. Grand Green, a deep, earthy hue, is a nod to the building’s original cladding, while Press Orange injects a sense of energy and modernity, referencing the recent refurbishments. These colors speak directly to the space itself, grounding the identity in the building’s unique character and history.
A Design System That Tells a Story
Every aspect of The Grand Press’s design has been carefully considered to ensure it tells the building’s story—one that spans over a century of industrial and cultural evolution. The design is not just about visual appeal; it is about capturing the soul of a space that has been both a center of production and a stage for culture.
The use of bold, graphic shapes and the interplay between solid forms and distressed textures evoke the spirit of the original industrial signage that once guided workers through the Printworks. The combination of these elements creates a visual language that is at once raw and refined, industrial yet sophisticated. This tension between past and present is what makes The Grand Press’s new identity so compelling.
The Future of a Cultural Icon
The evolution of The Grand Press is about more than just a physical transformation; it represents a shift in how we view and interact with our cultural landmarks. By preserving the essence of the Printworks’s industrial past while infusing it with contemporary design, The Grand Press is positioned to become a cultural hub for the future.
With its bold, graphic identity and rich, industrial heritage, The Grand Press stands as a beacon of what’s possible when we respect the past while daring to imagine the future. It’s a space where history is not merely preserved, but reinterpreted, and where the lines between heritage and innovation blur into something entirely new.
As London continues to evolve, so too does The Grand Press—forever rooted in its past, but always looking forward. Through its design, it tells a story of transformation, resilience, and a forward-thinking vision that embraces both tradition and progress. The Grand Press is more than just a cultural venue; it’s a testament to the power of design in shaping the future while honoring the past.
