The commission for this project came from the concern to review and update the institution’s corporate brand. Branding work always requires studying the organisation’s identity and at the same time involves reviewing aspects of the entity that wish to be shared. It is therefore the basis that underpins any process of change and updating.
The process of searching for the main symbol to represent the Cabildo of Cordoba Cathedral led to a review of the origin and current signs as well as exploring new ways of looking at the building that houses it. In the images above you can see some of the key elements in arriving at the main symbol.
The visual brand of the Cabildo describes the architectural structure of the building, of Hellenistic origin. In this way we obtain a strong and irrefutable autonomous sign.
The symbol of the Cabildo of Cordoba Cathedral’s Chapter mark is constructed in direct response to the search for the most sober and direct form that describes the most characteristic features of the building: the field of columns, the transept of the cathedral and the octagon of the dome, and a multitude of construction elements.
The zenithal perspective allows us to identify the genetic code of the temple (the column module), which gives the symbol sufficient ambiguity to read this module as people, who in some way are also those who support the temple.
At the same time, it proposes the idea of movement present in many temples and defined as an ambulatory in Gothic cathedrals. Circulation around a hollow (the transept is built high up in search of light) that forms a cross with an octagonal heart. This octagon is present not only in the dome but also in such important elements as the Mihrab, the dome of the chapel of Villaviciosa, the chapel of Santa Teresa, etc.
The visual simplicity of the sign, which gives it an open character, together with its descriptive nature, make the symbol an element with many layers of interpretation and use. All this guarantees its capacity to be memorised and to remain over time to identify the sacred temple it represents and the organisation that manages it..
The octagon of the domes, the forest of columns and the transept as a synthesis of the emblematic elements of the Cathedral as a temple and heritage complex.
Brand architecture and denomination of services.
The name of each service, its relations and its formal representation to users are the initial key to managing a brand. The Cabildo’s brand becomes a monolithic system in its graphic formulation, unifying codes for all the services or sub-brands on which it nevertheless acts as an endorser -endorsed brand- allowing each service to acquire greater importance in the brand’s applications.
As we have just discussed, one of the brand’s tasks is to find the right words to designate each of the elements, services and relationships that make up its architecture. This makes it necessary to question and explore the different options to arrive at the words that best represent or communicate what we wish to identify.
If we were to formulate a complete name that included all the historical layers of the building, we would obtain a name of about 35 words or 250 characters, which is not suitable for use in communication. This makes it necessary to simplify and therefore to choose a name that can work or be adapted to different media and situations.
The name chosen was Mosque-Cathedral, preceded by Monumental Ensemble to help differentiate the stories. Why this name? Because it names in order of heritage value, it names in historical order of the layers and finally it favours the differentiation of stories.
A graphic system for the monumental ensemble.
The Cabildo’s global project in relation to the Monumental Ensemble includes the application of the new image to the monument’s information, signposting and interpretation supports for visitors. In the first phase, a brochure-plan (in 9 languages), a new website, a system of informative and interpretative panels and the application of the new image to the restoration and construction works canvases were created.
