Custom Exterior Signage for a New Treehouse Play Area: Secured Entrances and Donor Recognition

Iowa Arboretum’s Family Engagement Committee sought a way to expand its visitor demographic and attract younger families. Treehouse Village is open to the public after a successful capital campaign and over a year of construction.

Partnering with our friends at Confluence Landscape Architecture, their vision was for a woodsy-designed entrance that incorporated donors, welcomed visitors, and aligned with the treehouse vibe. With Confluence and our in-house design and fabrication experts, the collaboration brought the vision to life using our faux rust process on routed aluminum. Careful consideration was needed to adequately install the ¼” thick CNC flat-cut “rusted” tree to this nearly 8-foot-tall secured gate that opens when a guest scans the QR code.

Outdoor Donor Recognition Welcomes Visitors

Flanking the routed tree is a 36” wide custom donor wall built for the outdoors and an 18” wide vertical “ENTRANCE” panel. The donor names are digitally printed directly on the panel to ensure the best possible weathering for the exterior conditions of this location. On the other side, the “ENTRANCE” sign has routed letters and is backed with a natural aluminum finish panel for a nice contrast. The same type of sign, but reads “EXIT ONLY,” is the last thing guests see when they leave.

The effort put into this natural playscape, from its design to its materials to the extra touches of the signage, shows a thoughtful design and the intended respect for nature.

Have questions or need to know more about exterior signage capabilities? Contact us anytime!