South Shore Public Libraries, Lunenburg Branch

Lunenburg Academy is one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic public buildings, a designated National Historic Site overlooking the harbour. In 2018, the former school began a new chapter, becoming home to the Lunenburg Branch of South Shore Public Libraries.

The challenge was to create a welcoming, contemporary public library within a protected heritage structure, honouring its past while meeting modern accessibility and public-use standards.

Fathom Studio (formerly Form:Media and Ekistics) worked closely with library staff, town officials and contractors to shape the new environment. Interior colours and materials were chosen to complement the Academy’s historic character, while standing up to the demands of a busy public space.

The signage and wayfinding system drew inspiration from late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century academic traditions. Referencing felt banners and pennants associated with school pride, the team created sectional markers – adult, children and youth – to identify the book stacks. Brim Narrow was used prominently across these elements, as well as for room numbers applied as cut vinyl to interior transoms. The accompanying condensed gothic is Knockout No. 27.

Interpretive elements celebrating the career of William J. Roué, designer of Bluenose, Lunenburg’s famous fishing schooner, formed an additional narrative layer within the space.

The project was commissioned by the Town of Lunenburg and realized in 2016–2018. The experiential graphic design and interpretive planning (signage) was in the hands of Fathom Studio, with John deWolf serving as project manager and experiential graphic design lead and Robert Currie doing the research. The architecture and interior design was carried out by Ekistics Planning & Design, featuring Chris Crawford (lead architect), Rebecca MacKenzie (project lead / intern architect), and Julian Boudreau (design). Eye Candy Signs fabricated the signs.