Exploring an iconic site

Client

City of Montreal

Location

Montréal

Year

2024

Services

Signage program

Awards

Montreal’s Mount Royal has a new signage system that combines clarity, durability, and respect for one of Montreal’s most iconic sites. Designed to encourage exploration, it enhances the visitor experience while preserving the site's heritage and ecological identity. An inspiring model for tomorrow's major urban parks.

Mount Royal attracts over 5 million visitors annually, making it one of Montreal’s most iconic landmarks. Located in the heart of the city, the mountain features one of Montreal’s largest greenspaces, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted for a wide range of activities.

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(Re)discovering Mount Royal

Recently, the City of Montreal commissioned a comprehensive project to overhaul the park’s signage. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration by studios Principal and PXP, centered on three key objectives: to modernize outdated signage, to improve accessibility for users through clear, intuitive iconography, and to preserve the site's heritage identity and natural aesthetics.

The signage elements are integrated into a series of steles placed throughout the park, providing varying levels of interpretation based on user needs, from quick directional cues to detailed information.

This project illustrates how thoughtful design can meet real-life challenges while enhancing a public space. By combining accessibility, aesthetics and sustainability, the new Mount Royal signage is an invitation to rediscover this unique place in all its richness and diversity.

‍‍One of the key challenges was ensuring clear orientation for a diverse range of users while respecting the province’s French unilingualism. To address this, a simple and universal iconographic language was developed. Pictograms—easily understood regardless of cultural or linguistic background—serve as effective guides for users.

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To enhance signage legibility, Frutiger LT was chosen for its renowned clarity and neutrality. In addition to offering an optimal user experience, this font establishes a rigorous graphic grid that bolsters the project's visual identity

‍A modular, durable and scalable system

Durability and functionality were key considerations in the design of the wayfinding elements.

A bespoke system for sliding a variable number of slats onto the signage drums ensures the necessary flexibility in the deployment of the wayfinding solution. A custom-designed system for sliding a variable number of slats onto the signage drums guarantees the required adaptability in the implementation of the wayfinding solution.

Each component is built for easy maintenance, allowing directory surfaces to be serviced efficiently and extending their lifespan. In the event of damage, these modular elements can be quickly repaired or replaced, minimizing environmental impact and optimizing city resources.

To support both summer and winter activities, some elements feature interchangeable maps, ensuring information remains relevant year-round while promoting safe use of the park in every season.

Sensitive integration into the landscape
Beyond their practical function, the signage elements were thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly into the landscape. The selected materials, shapes, and colors respect Mount Royal’s natural and heritage identities, striking a balance between visibility and subtlety.

A tool for conservation and protection
This system does more than simply guide visitors. By directing movement along designated paths, it helps preserve ecologically sensitive areas while revitalizing less-frequented spaces. Additionally, it makes the park’s activities more accessible, fostering inclusivity and a welcoming environment for all.