Aviva Stadium

Features

• Dismantle existing sign systems
• Powder coating – Class 1 Architectural grade
• Print and fit vinyl cut graphics and digital print panels
• Project management

Timescale – 3 weeks.

Client: Aviva Stadium

The Aviva Stadium (formerly Lansdowne Road) is the home ground for both the Ireland national rugby union team (IRFU) and for the Irish soccer team (FAI). With a capacity of almost 52,000 the iconic building, although only opened in 2010, has already become an indelible part of the Dublin skyline. It is Ireland’s first and only UEFA Elite Stadium.

Works

Since mid-2017 CSS Signs have worked on two projects for the Aviva Stadium.

The first project was to replace the fixed overhead signs, known as vomitory signs, which direct spectators to their seats. From a health and safety perspective, management had concerns that the weight of the existing signs may pose a risk in the longer term. We came up with a sign system that was 85% lighter and positioned safely out of people’s reach. The size of the sign was reduced without losing any text visibility. This was achieved without compromising the professional look and finish required by the client.

More recently we have given a facelift to the brightly colour-coded column and totem signs which spectators will be familiar with on all approaches to the stadium – Bath Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Herbert Lane, Lansdowne Road and the Podium area.

First, we dismantled the signs using a truck mounted crane. Each individual panel was then chemically stripped back to raw metal. After new powder-coating was applied we replaced the vinyl graphics and re-instated every sign element in its original position. A coded system was devised, and laser etched to the inside of each panel to ensure every part of every sign was replaced in its original position. Class 1 architectural powder-coating was applied to achieve the best colour quality and longest lasting finish available.

The completion deadline for this project was 9^th February 2018, the day before Ireland’s first Six Nations Championship home game against Italy. As everyone now knows Ireland went on to win all three of their home games, thereby winning the title for only the 3^rd time in our history. Maybe the rejuvenated coloured panels had an effect!