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Client Overview
The Pinehills is a 5-square-mile master-planned community in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The development offers new homes ranging from $700,000 to over $2 million, including custom homes, cottages, townhomes, condominiums, and luxury rental apartments. Located 45 miles from Boston near Cape Cod, The Pinehills blends residential living with retail, dining, medical practices, and recreational amenities across a sprawling New England village setting.
The Challenge
Creating a cohesive visual identity across five square miles of continuous development presents significant wayfinding and branding challenges. The Pinehills needed a sign system that would:
- Guide residents and visitors through miles of interconnected streets and neighborhoods
- Establish a distinctive "Pinehills Style" that balances vintage character with contemporary design
- Accommodate dozens of businesses, medical practices, and organizations within the development
- Maintain consistency as the community evolved over decades
- Solve problems as they emerged rather than simply execute orders
The scale and complexity required a partner who could think strategically, not just produce signs.
The Pinehills is spread out over 5 square miles, so in particular wayfinding has been a big challenge over the years. Not only does Zebra Visuals craft beautiful signs, it's the thinking behind it. If we need a problem solved, we call them. We know, in the end, the solution is going to be perfect. We let Paul and his team do what they do best, and they are wonderful at it.
Designing a Comprehensive Sign & Wayfinding System
Zebra Visuals has served as The Pinehills' sign partner for 23 years, functioning as a strategic placemaker. The relationship spans the entire development lifecycle, from initial wayfinding design through ongoing maintenance and expansion.
Entrance and Identity Signs
The custom stone tower pylon at the main entrance creates an immediate visual impression that signals the quality and character of the community. This signature element establishes expectations before visitors enter the development.
Directional Wayfinding System
A complete wayfinding system of directional signs guides people through five square miles of development. The system accounts for multiple entry points, complex road networks, and frequent destination changes as new phases open. Zebra maintains detailed records of every sign location and specification, enabling quick replacements and ensuring long-term consistency.
Business and Organization Signage
Zebra has designed and fabricated signs for the majority of businesses and offices within The Pinehills. This includes signs for medical practice signs as well as signs for restaurants and markets. Each sign captures the individual organization's identity while maintaining the overall Pinehills aesthetic.
The gift shop "Daisies" exemplifies this approach with a fresh, contemporary design using wood materials that feel both modern and timeless.
In contrast, an early directional sign used traditional gold leaf and smalt (crushed glass) applied to solid mahogany, demonstrating the range from heritage craftsmanship to current design trends.
I am so thankful for the partnership I have with Zebra Visuals. Just knowing I have a team I can really rely on to come in, get the details right, get it done on time, really embrace the process. They have been patient, wonderful, enthusiastic, and just amazing partners.
Debra Ehnstrom, Marketing DirectorResults and Impact
A Longstanding Client Relationship
The Pinehills has been a Zebra Visuals client for 23 years, making them the company's longest-tenured client. This longevity reflects consistent execution and strategic value.
Comprehensive Brand Consistency
Every sign across five square miles maintains visual cohesion while accommodating diverse uses. This consistency reinforces The Pinehills brand identity at every touchpoint.
Efficient Sign Management
Zebra's detailed record-keeping enables quick replacement due to weather damage or wear. Signs maintain their appearance and effectiveness without gaps in coverage or visible inconsistency.
Recognized as Placemaker
The Pinehills considers Zebra Visuals a placemaker rather than a sign vendor. The signs don't just direct traffic or identify buildings. They shape how people experience the entire community.
Key Takeaways
Large-scale developments require sign partners who think beyond fabrication. Success depends on:
- Strategic problem-solving rather than order-taking
- Maintaining detailed documentation for long-term consistency
- Balancing individual client needs with overall brand integrity
- Adapting to changes over decades while preserving coherence
- Responding quickly to maintenance needs across extensive properties
For property developers, master-planned communities, and large campus environments facing similar wayfinding and identity challenges, Zebra Visuals applies the same strategic approach that has guided The Pinehills for more than two decades.