One brand for three architecture practices merger
CSY Architects is an award-winning practice with 3 branches across Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Northumberland.
Originally known as Camerons, the business had merged with with Douglas Strachan Associates and Gavin Yuill Associates.
Merging three businesses together is never straightforward – both for the people involved and clients who are used to working with one or other.
The team were keen to solidify the new name and create brand awareness, while paying respect to the original Camerons – a business that had been on the go for 60 years.
How could that be done?
The project
Client and team feedback provided the nuggets of what makes CSY special. Combined with defining their key target audiences, this was the info we needed to discover the essence of this long-standing practice.
CSY Architects are genuinely all about ‘people & places’. So we set about creating a brand identity, toolkit and a tone of voice that reflects this.
We love the sketches architects create to convey their ideas. Pen line drawings inspired the patterns created and the outlines of the core icons representing ‘people’ and ‘places’.
Teal from the original Camerons logo is a wee nod to the company’s heritage and acts as a highlight alongside authoritative deep navy grey and a natural stone shade.
Many architects’ sites show fabulous photos of their spaces – with no-one actually in them! Commissioned photography of CSY’s key client projects specifically features people enjoying the space.
And now?
Now the CSY Architects name is further embedded across all three branches, and the team have a brand kit they’re proud to use and call their own.
There’s a stash of great images they enjoy using on socials and a tone of voice they can leverage to attract the right kind of clients. The brand toolkit makes it easy to create great-looking, on-brand bid responses to those all important tenders, and all of it goes towards strengthening the practice.
Just what we love to hear!
Bit envious? Wondering what we could do for you?
Let’s find out. One quick call could be the start of something brilliant.