Client Results
Future Standard
19′ 2″
Signature Letter Height
294′
Installation Elevation
18
Minute Lift Window
Project Snapshot
What The Client Needed
Future Standard needed a bold, high-visibility exterior identity for the new West Tower at Schuylkill Yards in Philadelphia. The project called for large illuminated “FS” channel letters on an elevation that had not been designed to accommodate signage during the building’s original construction.
The solution also had to meet the structural, electrical, permitting, and logistical requirements of a high-rise installation above active rail infrastructure and a busy urban environment. Future Standard needed a partner capable of solving the engineering challenge, managing the approvals, and delivering a safe, precise installation from concept through completion.
What We Delivered
PSCO Sign Group provided a full-service, single-source solution for the Future Standard installation, combining in-house design, engineering, fabrication, permitting, project management, electrical work, and field execution.
- Custom exterior illuminated channel letters featuring Future Standard’s “FS” mark on the north elevation of the West Tower
- Large-format construction measuring 19’ 2″ high by 29’ wide, covering 555.83 square feet
- Custom structural steel supports engineered to span interior concrete columns and extend through the building facade
- Sectional aluminum construction designed for safe transportation, staging, assembly, and aerial installation
- White illumination with RGB capability for programmable color changes during events, seasons, and brand activations
- Integrated wireless lighting controls for flexible, responsive brand expression
- Full City of Philadelphia permitting and code-compliant electrical hookup
- Heated staging, assembly, face installation, test lighting, and helicopter-assisted placement
- Project management from design development through final electrical testing
Full Project Story
Future Standard’s new identity needed to be visible from a distance and integrated cleanly into one of Philadelphia’s most active development environments. At the West Tower at Schuylkill Yards, the installation elevation faced active rail infrastructure serving 30th Street Station. The scale of the letters, the height of the tower, and the surrounding transportation network made safety and coordination central to every project decision.
PSCO’s role began with engineering the solution—not simply fabricating the letters. Because the building’s elevation had not originally been designed for signage, the team developed custom steel structures that connected to the building’s interior concrete columns, with attachment stubs extending through the facade. This approach created a secure structural path for the large-format letters while allowing the installation to proceed without compromising the building envelope or the design intent.
The letters were designed and fabricated in-house as sectional, lightweight structures that could be transported, assembled, tested, and lifted efficiently. The illuminated faces were prepared for field tensioning, while the white and RGB LED systems were installed and tested before installation. A nearby heated staging area provided the controlled environment needed to assemble the sections, install the faces, verify illumination, and prepare each letter for the scheduled helicopter lift.
The installation required coordinated planning among the city, property, rail, aviation, public-safety, building, and construction teams. PSCO managed the sequence through advance meetings, site coordination, safety planning, and clear communication among every participating group. On installation day, each letter was lifted separately and guided into position by the crews on the building. The complete aerial placement process took approximately 18 minutes. PSCO then completed the electrical connections and control wiring from inside the building, followed by final testing to confirm that both the white illumination and RGB functionality performed as intended.
The result is a distinctive, high-rise brand presence that combines structural performance, architectural integration, and programmable lighting. More than a dramatic installation method, the project demonstrates how disciplined planning, in-house engineering, and full-service project management can turn a challenging elevation into a safe, executable signage opportunity.
Engineering That Opened the Elevation
PSCO solved a structural challenge created by the building’s original design.
- Custom steel supports connected the letters to the building’s interior concrete columns.
- Facade modifications created the openings needed for the structural attachment points.
- Sectional construction balanced scale, weight, transportability, and installation control.
- In-house design and engineering kept the structure, fabrication, and field requirements aligned.
Safety Was the Installation Strategy
The helicopter lift was the visible moment—but the safety work started weeks earlier.
- Letters were assembled, face-tensioned, and test-lit before reaching the building.
- Staging was planned to reduce lift time and limit field assembly at elevation.
- City, rail, aviation, property, building, police, and construction stakeholders were coordinated in advance.
- Each letter was lifted and secured separately in a controlled sequence.
- The aerial installation was completed in approximately 18 minutes.
Lighting Built for Brand Moments
The finished sign does more than identify the building. It gives Future Standard a flexible lighting platform for visibility and activation.
- Bright white illumination supports a consistent day-to-night presence.
- RGB capability allows programmable color changes for events, seasons, and brand moments.
- Wireless controls provide responsive operation without changing the physical signage.
- Integrated LED technology supports efficient, durable, and maintainable illumination.
