Imaginative Connections

QUEENSLAND MUSEUM RAIL WORKSHOPS

The Rail Workshops holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors, serving as a living testament to Ipswich’s rich history and industrial heritage as the birthplace of Queensland Rail and once the state’s largest employer.

Goldi led the recent visitor entry renewal project at the Museum by implementing distinctive wayfinding and placemaking solutions.

The renewal project focused on improving the visitor experience allowing access to museums grounds, forecourt, cafe and retail areas free of charge, to breathe new life into the site and attract a broader audience. Our holistic design approach, centred around four key principles: Placemaking, Flow, Activation and Curiosity.

A landmark entry statement utilising the updated Queensland Museum brand, draws on the industrial aesthetic of the site to create a strong first impression and invite visitors through to the now free forecourt area. Designed to act as a gate house, the 4.5m high entry sign is constructed from heavy duty steel beams, with internally illuminated lettering and new security gates.

‘Imaginative Connections’ was the central design theme for the design of the signage and graphics, bringing in train and railway references with coloured tracks that travel down marker signs and across the ground to key destinations to assist wayfinding and activate the space.

New banners and signage to the main building facade highlight the site’s history with an iconic steam train image and create a sense of place within the newly named Railway Park, while secondary wayfinding signage brings the site up to current standards.

Within the Museum is a much loved indoor playground for toddlers and young children. After nearly 20 years the playground underwent a makeover to remove superfluous elements, trip hazards, and refresh paint and softfall. Goldi worked with the Museum to develop a fun new name and to visualise the guiding concept to bring the space to life with coordinated finishes, colours and new signage.

A large wall graphic featuring a train map graphic highlights the new playground name of ‘Play Central’ and helps to create a visual feature for the space.

A lively soft fall colour scheme and play mounds combined with a bright palette of primary colours reinvigorate the themed play equipment and train station.