Cork City’s North Side has long been a source of energy and enterprise for the city. The Shandon Butter Exchange, initially established in 1769, was once one of the most important commercial centres in Ireland and indeed Europe, acting as a major exporter of butter to four continents. The landmark Butter Exchange building is soon to be transformed into ‘The Shandon Exchange’, a co-working creative space dedicated to fostering budding enterprise in the city, and a centre that offers a unique mix of technology and innovation, acting as a key enabler for start up companies, scaling companies and entrepreneurship.

‘The Shandon Exchange’ will provide a sustainable facility that will enable and encourage enterprise and job creation in the area whilst creating a positive impact both economically and socially. Babelfís were tasked with creating an identity that would do this rich and diverse history proud, bringing it into the 21st Century while staying true to its roots. Fostering this energy and adopting the heritage of the Shandon area is key to the brand. 

The identity explores the history of the Shandon Butter Exchange as being a final destination for many traders and business people, and as being an epicentre for innovation and energy for people far and wide. Combining a number of these key traits gives us a mark while the bright and stroking red and contrasting grey ensures eye catching visuals. The font has been uniquely crafted to reflect the rich ties the Exchange has with being a centre for the buying and selling of craft materials.