Developed in partnership with Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, the project called for a brand that felt timeless and rooted in its surroundings. We were tasked with naming the community, creating an identity that captured both its natural beauty and coastal sophistication. The word “Ardea” is the genus that includes the new and old work herons, including the iconic great blue heron, which is a resident of the Connecticut coastline and Mill Pond. Ardea comes from the Latin word for “Heron” and has a peaceful sound and imagery. French for “point”, Pointe brings an elegance to the community, with a nod to their coastal New England location.

Mill Pond is not just the landing place of new residents at Ardea Pointe, but a community spot for people local to Norwalk. The brand identity emphasizes the important harmony between the existing and the new. As one of Ardea Pointe’s key structural features is a public access plaza overlooking the scenic Mill Pond, we felt it was important to highlight the location’s beauty. One of the key brand elements is a custom oil painting of Mill Pond, paying homage to the area and educating new residents of the surrounding nature they now call home. The name and illustration set are inspired by the ponds habitants–the great blue heron and the water lily. All of the brand’s visuals aid in creating a sense of tranquility to its residents’ lives at Ardea Pointe.

The balance between sharp points and soft curves in the primary wordmark play into the harmony between the new structure and existing nature. It stands strong and confident but has an ease and approachability to it. The AP monogram mark subtly resembles a sail, nodding to Norwalk’s coastal location. Overall, the brand elements come together to create a serene, coastal identity.