Blog: Telling a 600-year story of London Heritage
As place makers we work with many different types of clients, but it’s not every day you are asked to help celebrate a 600th anniversary! Therefore, it was an incredible honour to work alongside Photographer and Digital Media Producer Karolina Heller to help mark the 600th anniversary of London’s first purpose-built Livery Hall; showing a journey through history.
For this project, detail was everything and it was essential that we carefully crafted our graphics and displays to take viewers on a journey through the history of this exquisitely restored building.
Over 600 Years Of History
The Livery Hall is the home of The Grocers’ Company, which can be traced all the way back to the Guild of Pepperers in 1180. It now plays a huge role in London’s ceremonial life, holding several conferences and events such as the election of the Lord Mayor. Our highly skilled team was tasked with showcasing Karolina’s artistic vision, and we couldn’t be prouder of the result.
“It wasn’t there to just blend in; we wanted it to elevate the room”
Our planning process involved a full site survey and careful consideration of the materials used, with samples tested to ensure they were the perfect fit for the Livery Hall. A combination of wrapped panels and acrylic displays were used to complement Karolina’s artwork and typography. The question was how to hang these effectively, respecting the surroundings – and it was here that we got creative. By adding a gold rail and chains above the panels, our graphics could seamlessly align with the historic setting and aesthetics of the room.
Of course, while the detail was important, the impact of the graphics was foremost, and we printed the centrepiece acrylic panel on our swissQprint Nyala 4 to deliver the exceptional quality needed. With its sleek gloss finish, the installation of this panel was also a highly delicate process, requiring major precision to ensure it was delivered and hung with absolutely no surface scratching.
The Excitement of a Challenge
Account Manager Darren Connell, has worked alongside Karolina for 14 years on several London-based projects and was excited by the challenge of working on one so rich in British history.
“I loved that this project got me thinking,” said Darren. “The challenge was keeping the style of the panels in line with the grand architecture of the hall. It wasn’t there to just blend in; we wanted it to elevate the room and that’s why details were essential. By attaching a wooden dowel to the rails, we added gold chains to hang each panel, making the whole project more luxurious and in keeping.”
“It was such an exciting opportunity to install a product that best framed Karolina Heller’s vision,” said Darren. “It was a huge honour to be trusted to celebrate the rich history of The Grocers’ Company and we made sure every aspect of the installation was worthy of a 600-year heritage.”
A Product Worthy of a 600-year Legacy
As well as celebrating the past, our installations always consider the future. The acrylic and vinyl used within the panels are part of our extensive range of fully recyclable materials, significantly reducing the project’s waste when the celebrations of the anniversary have finished.
Working for The Grocers’ Company was an incredible privilege. At Moss, the care we give to every project allows us to be renowned as place makers, and working within the historical landscape of London provided us the ideal opportunity to demonstrate our skills.
