Limah Design Consultants has been awarded the contract to develop a comprehensive Wayfinding and signage system for the new landmark 5- Star Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments in Erbil, located in Kurdistan, Iraq.

Limah Design Consultants is a multi-disciplinary design firm, and provides a scientific approach to making complex spaces more efficient through Wayfinding and signage, the use of public art, as well as industrial and communication design.

Limah will be focusing on developing a complete plan including signage for the exterior and interior of the properties, as well as the car parks. The scope also includes signage for the restaurants, as well as additional regulatory signage required by the International Building Code.

“The regulatory signage such as the fire maps on the back of the hotel doors, and emergency signs are usually made by run-of-the-mill sign makers, but Marriott have asked us to something different with these, hence we designed these signs to match the overall design of the hotel and the rest of the Wayfinding signage,” said Jason Lewis, Founder and Managing Director of Limah Design Consultants.

“The interiors of the hotels were designed by LWD, and provide much of the inspiration for our work as we like to integrate our designs into the space, making it seamless with interior finishing.

“It certainly makes the guest experience for Wayfinding more intuitive, and we look at the signage as opportunity to connect with the guests, a touch point for them, and a way to enhance the Marriott brand through subtle visual cues.

“In terms of design, every detail has been carefully thought out carefully, and the signage should be no exception. To compliment their design, we are using warm, natural materials mixed with the latest in LED lighting technologies. The result is not only functional and inviting but also sustainable,” explained Lewis.

The upscale Marriott Hotels & Resorts-branded hotel will feature 200 rooms, and a 75-unit deluxe Marriott Executive Apartments property. Both are planned to open simultaneously in 2014. Both properties will form part of a large mixed-use project called “Empire World,” which will include residential towers, private villas, office towers and retail and leisure space. 

“To be part of Marriott International’s first venture into Kurdistan is truly a great opportunity for Limah, and plays well with our specialty and expertise in creating landmark projects. We expect this to serve as a benchmark in Wayfinding and signage for future hotels in the region,” added Lewis.