Rejecting all seriousness, GIRL’s rebrand for Mesh Architects redefines playfulness in architecture — The Brand Identity – Home of the Greatest in Graphic & Brand Design

Known for blending modern luxury with timeless elegance, Leeds-based Mesh Architects is recognised for crafting spaces that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and functional. Their ethos, however, goes beyond aesthetics – Mesh is celebrated for their creative and accessible approach, offering no-nonsense advice to clients.

When it was time to refresh their visual identity, the firm sought to capture the same creative, unconventional spirit that defines their architectural work. Mesh approached local branding and graphic design studio GIRL with a bold vision. “Mesh wanted to reshape not just buildings but the experience of architecture itself for their clients,” says Founder Roz Donaldson. The challenge was to change the perception of hiring an architect, particularly for residential clients, who often found the process intimidating. 

Architecture branding often leans into a sense of seriousness, reflecting the technical and precise nature of the field. While this is understandable, the collaborators wanted to break away from this convention. Instead, they envisioned a visual identity that felt engaging and welcoming while still retaining the professionalism and precision that the firm is known for. “This was one of the core reasons for moving away from that visual language,” notes Donaldson.

The studio drew inspiration from Mesh’s signature style, which combines contemporary aesthetics with timeless design elements. GIRL set out to develop a visual vocabulary that encapsulated the studio’s precise, methodical approach to architecture. The solution was to build on the existing brand – Mesh’s previous identity featured a simple lowercase wordmark paired with a wireframe cube. GIRL reimagined these key elements, breathing new life into them while maintaining a sense of familiarity and continuity.

The result? A refreshed logo that retained the wireframe cube but expanded on its meaning. The new logo now features two interlocking cubes, symbolising the relationship between architect and client, as well as the modular flexibility synonymous with Mesh’s work. “We created a new suite of wordmarks and a flexible mark featuring two cubes that can animate, mould and flex to fit different spaces and needs, much like Mesh’s tailored, bespoke approach to architecture. The cubes also have a more literal interpretation – they represent different forms and structures coming together,” she elaborates. The cubes can be used as overlays, graphic assets, or image frames, making them versatile across print and digital formats.

A refined colour palette of muted earth tones, metallic silver, and deep charcoal was chosen to complement the logo. These tones reflect both the natural materials often found in Mesh’s work and the modern, upscale environments they create. The palette communicates an understated luxury, perfectly aligning with the firm’s focus on quality and sustainability.

For the typography, GIRL selected Champ typeface from Typeverything as the base for the wordmark. “We customised each letter by increasing the ink traps and refining the points, curves and angles to give it exactly the right feeling,” explains Donaldson. This custom wordmark is complemented by Roobert and Reckless from Displaay, which are used across brand materials. Roobert’s geometric friendliness balances Reckless’ more formal aesthetic, creating a balanced typographic system that echoes Mesh’s down-to-earth approach and technical expertise.

This new visual identity was seamlessly integrated across all brand touchpoints, from business cards and stationery to digital assets and social media. The redesigned website, in particular, showcases Mesh’s forward-thinking vision, featuring an interactive portfolio that invites users to explore their work in detail.

With this refreshed identity, Mesh Architects communicates their creative, approachable way of working while maintaining the professionalism clients expect. As Donaldson puts it, “The new identity speaks directly to Mesh’s mission of breaking boundaries and delivering architecture that’s as fun and fearless as the team behind it.”