Hunter Conference Sign

A large-format 11-foot event sign engineered for a shallow-water fountain setting. The build combined a lightweight EPS core, polyurea hard coat, Sherwin-Williams finish system and concealed concrete ballast in the base to deliver scale, visual impact, and practical stability.

Quick Facts

Project overview

This project involved the fabrication of an 11-foot custom conference sign designed to serve as a large-format visual centerpiece within an event environment.

What made the installation unusual was the final placement condition: the sign needed to stand in a shallow fountain, roughly one foot deep, rather than on a standard dry surface.

The solution balanced visual scale, clean finished presentation, and practical installation requirements by using a lightweight foam-based construction method with a concealed weighted base for stability.

Context

• Large-scale branded sign for an event / conference environment.
• Needed to create strong visual impact at 11′ tall.
• Required installation in a shallow water fountain setting.

Constraints

• The structure had to remain visually clean while incorporating hidden stabilization.
• The sign needed to be practical to fabricate, transport, and position on site.
• Finish quality had to be polished enough for a high-visibility branded environment.

Risks

• Instability caused by height and the water-based placement condition.
• Excessive weight if built as a traditional solid scenic structure.
• Added installation complexity due to leveling and footing considerations in the fountain.

The Solution (Engineering Approach)

Material System

• EPS foam core used for primary volume and scale while keeping the sign substantially lighter than a solid-built alternative.
• Polyurea hard coating applied to create a more durable exterior shell for handling and event use.
• Sherwin-Williams paint system used to deliver the final surface finish and color consistency.

Structural System

• Concrete ballast concealed inside the base to improve stability without affecting the visible design.
• Weight concentrated in the lower section to better support the sign’s height and freestanding performance.
• Base design planned around the specific fountain-installation condition.

Fabrication

• Foam components shaped and assembled to achieve full-scale presence without unnecessary structural mass.
• Hard coating and finish work completed prior to delivery for an event-ready presentation.
• Build method optimized for practical transport and on-site handling.

System Architecture

Layer Structure:

1. EPS foam core for lightweight mass and shape
2. Internal structural support for upright performance
3. Concealed concrete ballast in the base for added stability
4. Polyurea hard coat for durability and surface strength
5. Sherwin-Williams painted finish for final presentation quality

Result: A large-format sign system that maintained visual impact while incorporating hidden stabilization for a challenging water-feature installation.

Implementation Process

Step 1 — Design: Review of dimensions, visual goals, and installation conditions.

Step 2 — Engineering: Weighted-base planning and stability strategy for fountain placement.

Step 3 — Fabrication: Foam shaping, assembly, hard coating, and finish application.

Step 4 — Delivery: Transport planning centered on preserving finish quality and simplifying handling.

Step 5 — Installation: Placement, leveling, and final visual check for event readiness.

Value Analysis (TCO)