Led by Community
Cygnus began with extensive engagement with the city’s diverse community, listening to residents, businesses and city staff through workshops, surveys and site visits. These conversations revealed how people move through the city, what they value and where improvements were most needed. Insights from this process shaped a unified system designed to simplify navigation, reflect local character and express civic pride. This focus on community identity extended to Revelstoke’s longstanding banner program, which was refreshed to align with the new brand while preserving its grassroots spirit.
Making an Entrance
Cygnus’s new gateway sign sits along one of British Columbia’s busiest highway corridors, capturing attention and inviting travellers to turn toward the city. Its large illuminated letters draw inspiration from a historic photograph of Revelstoke, bringing the Tourism Revelstoke identity to life at a key entrance along the Trans-Canada Highway. Engineered to withstand harsh winters, hot summers and constant movement, the gateway stands as a confident landmark and a lasting expression of Revelstoke’s pride, resilience and place within the mountain landscape.
Design Grounded in Place
The wayfinding system by Cygnus draws from the textures, tones, and forms that define Revelstoke’s mountain landscape and industrial heritage. Materials such as corten steel and wood reference the railway tracks and ties that supported the city’s early growth, while reflecting the rugged authenticity of its surroundings. The colour palette and the familiar silhouette of Mount Begbie ground the design in place, bridging history and modern identity.
Shareable Moments
Placemaking installations strengthen Revelstoke’s civic identity and establish recognizable landmarks throughout the city. Cygnus introduced photo frames at key destinations featuring the Mount Begbie silhouette and the Revelstoke wordmark. These installations celebrate the city’s landscape and create perfectly positioned places for visitors to share their experiences far and wide through social media.
Sustainable Solutions
Cygnus approached the project with a focus on longevity and environmental responsibility. Existing sign bases and posts were reused wherever possible, reducing waste and costs while maintaining a sense of familiarity for residents. Partnering with Imperial Sign Corporation, Cygnus specified durable, low-maintenance materials engineered to withstand the BC interior’s harsh winters and hot summers. The result is a resilient system designed to serve the city for many years to come.
