Wallscapes and building wraps

A wallscape is a large image placed on a building wall for a long period, either painted directly or printed and fixed. It works best on walls that face a busy street or square and can be seen from a distance, ideally straight on.

A building wrap is a large printed mesh or banner that covers part or all of a facade, often during renovation or over scaffolding. It can show the finished building, the project behind the works or an advertising image while the work goes on.

A mural is painted by hand on the wall itself and usually stays long-term, while a printed wallscape is produced in sections and fixed to the wall or a frame. Printing reproduces a photo or brand image exactly and can be replaced; painting suits artwork and walls where fixings are unwelcome.

With perforated mesh, windows can be covered while the image stays visible from outside, and people inside still get some light and view. The building's use, ventilation, fire exits and the comfort of the people inside decide how much can be covered.

The side that faces the main flow of traffic or people, with a long, clear view and few obstacles, works best. Blank end walls next to junctions and squares are often ideal, because people see them straight on from far away.

Start with measured drawings and photos of the facade, then lay out the image over the windows, joints and fixing points. Keep the logo and headline on solid areas, design to scale and check a mock-up on a street-level photo before anything is printed.

The main factors are the size of the area, the material, the height and access for fixing, the fixing system, lighting, permissions and how long the image stays up. A design that has to fit around many windows or features also takes more preparation.

Sun fades colours over time, especially on walls in full sun, and wind pulls hard on large surfaces, so the material and fixing are chosen for how exposed the wall is. Mesh lets wind pass through and is often used on tall facades, and regular checks keep the fixings tight.

Usually the building owner's consent and often the municipality's approval; in apartment buildings the owners or residents may also need to agree. Rules differ by municipality and building, and historic facades often have stricter limits, so check them before production.

Big enough to read from the farthest main viewpoint, so measure that distance first and test a mock-up on a photo taken from there. Short headlines in a bold typeface read best, and Armenian and Latin text on one wall should share one typeface family and weight.

Only if it is lit, by floodlights aimed at the wall or by lighting built into the frame. Without light a wallscape disappears after dark, so check the street lighting and whether lighting the wall is allowed and practical before choosing the image.

CONTURA talks through the building, the main viewpoints and your message, and explains what to prepare: wall measurements, photos from the street and the owner's consent. With those in hand, the image can be planned around the architecture.