Microsoft UK refresh brand with Signbox architectural signage

Microsoft - Signbox
1000 666 Daniel Fountain
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Thames Valley Park, Reading is home to some of the world’s highest profile companies, including IT giant, Microsoft’s UK headquarters campus.

In the summer of 2016, Signbox was appointed to undertake a full signage audit across this 200 acre business park. Engaged initially by commercial property consultants CBRE, Signbox was tasked with redesigning more than two hundred signs with a brand refresh issued by Microsoft’s corporate communication team in the USA.

The brief included external high-level signage, numerous wayfinding totems, internal reception branding, and an LED illuminated 8 x 2 metre monument sign. All had to meet intelligent detailing that demanded vibrancy with functionality, and precise on-brand consistency. To keep disruption on this busy campus to an absolute minimum, all work was carried out over evenings and weekends over a three month period.

“Working for a global brand as well-known and widely respected as Microsoft, we had to ensure a high level of attention to detail prior to manufacture, accurately reflecting the company’s brand identity,” says Signbox Director Matthew Wilkins. “In order to achieve this, we worked closely with Microsoft’s global HQ, alongside business consultants CBRE. This was a substantial project and given the global prominence of the brand, as well the relative significance of this particular Microsoft location – it was vital that we got it right.”

Says Clodagh Cashman (CBRE): “We have worked with Signbox before, and have found them to be an excellent and reliable partner. We knew we could depend on them to manage this whole project from start to finish, with no inconvenience to us, or to Microsoft. Their professionalism and their attention to detail gave us this confidence, and it proved to be well-founded as they ultimately delivered a finished product that met all of the client’s expectations.”

www.signbox.co.uk
Unit 3
Egham Business Village
Crabtree Road, Egham
Surrey
TW20 8RB
UK
T: +44 (0) 1784 438688

Daniel Fountain / 18.01.2017

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.