Breathing New Life into Hillbrow
Think of Hillbrow and you’re more likely to think of a deprived inner city area characterised by poverty, crime and disadvantage. But the Hillbrow Health Precinct (HHP) is changing the perception of Hillbrow… and the reality. Breathing new life into the inner city, the HHP is an internationally recognised focal point for innovation in research and training in the field of health care and community development.
Firmly rooted in the community, the precinct is gradually reversing the decline that has characterised Hillbrow in the last decade, with the restoration of several important heritage buildings to renewed glory as centres of medical excellence. A unique partnership between the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Department of Health and the Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute, the HHP is a visionary, world-first health precinct addressing HIV and related diseases, poverty and urban renewal in Johannesburg’s inner city.
Standing at the intersection of urban regeneration and community based health care, and demonstrating the best use of modern technology in both spheres, the Hillbrow Health Precinct is a beacon of inspiration in the urban development landscape and a model of co-operation that is sure to see others follow in its footsteps.
The precinct has an historical association with countless medical students, doctors and nurses who learned their profession at this teaching hospital. The same applies to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who received medical treatment there over a period of nearly 100 years. Despite the ravages of apartheid, the hospital served all of Johannesburg’s communities at some time in its history.
Below is how I branded the new Hillbrow Health Precinct.
Think of Hillbrow and you’re more likely to think of a deprived inner city area characterised by poverty, crime and disadvantage. But the Hillbrow Health Precinct (HHP) is changing the perception of Hillbrow… and the reality. Breathing new life into the inner city, the HHP is an internationally recognised focal point for innovation in research and training in the field of health care and community development.
Firmly rooted in the community, the precinct is gradually reversing the decline that has characterised Hillbrow in the last decade, with the restoration of several important heritage buildings to renewed glory as centres of medical excellence. A unique partnership between the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Department of Health and the Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute, the HHP is a visionary, world-first health precinct addressing HIV and related diseases, poverty and urban renewal in Johannesburg’s inner city.
Standing at the intersection of urban regeneration and community based health care, and demonstrating the best use of modern technology in both spheres, the Hillbrow Health Precinct is a beacon of inspiration in the urban development landscape and a model of co-operation that is sure to see others follow in its footsteps.
The precinct has an historical association with countless medical students, doctors and nurses who learned their profession at this teaching hospital. The same applies to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who received medical treatment there over a period of nearly 100 years. Despite the ravages of apartheid, the hospital served all of Johannesburg’s communities at some time in its history.
Below is how I branded the new Hillbrow Health Precinct.
Logo design
As there is a singer in SA called HHP that acronym could not be used. Instead the word "health" is depicted with a green cross. The grid like structure of the symbol was inspired by the aerial shot of the precinct, as seen below. This is because the precinct is made up of multiple infrastructures.
As there is a singer in SA called HHP that acronym could not be used. Instead the word "health" is depicted with a green cross. The grid like structure of the symbol was inspired by the aerial shot of the precinct, as seen below. This is because the precinct is made up of multiple infrastructures.
Signage application
There are 3 categories of signage: 1. Entry Signage - which is situated at the multiple entrances to the precinct guiding you with arrows. 2. Secondary Signage - which decreases in size as you get closer to your destination. 3. Tertiary Signage - which is the sign that will be placed on the designated building.
There are 3 categories of signage: 1. Entry Signage - which is situated at the multiple entrances to the precinct guiding you with arrows. 2. Secondary Signage - which decreases in size as you get closer to your destination. 3. Tertiary Signage - which is the sign that will be placed on the designated building.
Entrance sign to the Shandukani Building.
HHP Shandukani Maternal and Child Health Centre won the 2012 Halala Joburg Award, under “Sustaining Joburg” category. A tertiary sign can be seen on the right.