Fieldston: From a Design Consultation to a Neighborhood-Wide Signage Program

Fieldston is a privately maintained residential neighborhood located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, established in 1909. Known for its quiet streets, mature trees, and preserved architectural character, Fieldston has long placed a strong emphasis on order, clarity, and consistency within the community.

That sense of structure is visible not only in the homes and landscape, but also in the way the neighborhood communicates — through street markers, directional signs, and roadway notices that guide residents and guests throughout the area.

Our work with Fieldston began not as a large project, but as a design consultation.

The initial request was focused and specific: to review an existing signage need, provide guidance on how it should be approached, and recommend a solution that would fit within the neighborhood’s established standards. At the time, there was no expectation that the work would grow beyond that single request.

But once the first signs were introduced, the impact became clear.

They didn’t just solve a single issue — they created a clearer, more consistent way for the neighborhood to communicate rules, directions, and boundaries across its private roads and shared spaces. As new needs emerged, Fieldston returned to San Signs & Awnings to extend that same system into other parts of the community.

What began as one consultation expanded into a broader signage program.

As the neighborhood continued to evolve — addressing traffic flow, access control, and parking and roadway guidelines — additional signs were introduced. Each new piece needed to integrate naturally into the existing environment, both visually and functionally, so that the system felt cohesive rather than layered or patched together over time.

This reflects the nature of Fieldston itself: a community that adapts while still preserving its identity and structure.

Today, the signage program continues as new needs arise, with each addition building on what already exists rather than replacing it. The result is a system that evolves alongside the community it serves.

What makes this project meaningful is not just its size, but its trajectory.

It started with a single conversation.

It became a neighborhood-wide initiative.

And it continues as an ongoing partnership built on understanding, trust, and consistency.

This is not a project with an end date — it is a system that grows as Fieldston grows.

And we’re proud to be part of that story.