Bulwar Staromiejski

The Old Town Boulevard area is part of the historical fortifications of Wrocław. Currently, the area along the former city moat is a recreational green belt, marking the boundaries of the old town. The Old Town Boulevard is the last section of the boulevard to be opened to the public. This area is demarcated by the city moat, the Oder River, and the buildings of the former hospital. Today, it is a place where residential, recreational, service, and commercial functions converge.

For the past decade, the area formerly occupied by All Saints Hospital has been a blank spot on the city map. During construction and excavation work, remnants of various fortifications dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries were discovered. Remnants of a castle, a bridge, and numerous historical artifacts were also discovered. These discoveries naturally make this area a museum exhibit.

Our task was to mark the area and present its history, telling it in a reliable and accessible way. We collaborated with experts researching the area: Dr. Małgorzata Wójtowicz and Dr. Piotr Kmiecik. We handled the project comprehensively: branding the site, signage, and creating several graphics that adorn the walls of the complex.

For the site markings, we selected elements made of steel I-beams of various sizes: the largest ones display maps, the medium-sized ones provide directions and history, and the smallest ones carry short messages. We differentiated the elements by color: green ones serve as navigation and information, while those in a shade of iron red contain historical information. The former hospital buildings also bear plaques with historical notes.

For the graphic design, we chose the Di Grotesk typeface, designed by Marian Misiak of THREEDODSTYPE, a Wrocław-based artist. Based on this typeface, we designed a series of icons that not only provide information about the functions but also serve as symbols of the most distinctive buildings. We also used arrows from the Di Grotesk font to create a signet ring for the Old Town Boulevard.