Federation of Master Builders

A refined brand identity and blueprint-inspired design system for the UK’s largest trade body for small builders, founded in 1941 to help rebuild after the Blitz.

Federation of Master Builders

Trade association

Founded in 1941, the Federation of Master Builders represents thousands of small and medium-sized building businesses across the UK. Its identity had become fragmented and inconsistent. Our brief was to restore cohesion and authority while reflecting the professionalism and craftsmanship of its members.

Built around the idea of a brand constructed with care, we refined the existing identity and developed a design system rooted in an isometric blueprint grid. A redrawn logomark, updated colour palette and disciplined graphic language brought clarity and precision, balancing the organisation’s heritage with a more contemporary presence.

The identity launched with the 2024 Builders’ Manifesto, designed by our team and unveiled at the UK Parliament. Comprehensive guidelines gave the organisation a practical framework for consistent application across communications, publications and digital channels.

Client

Federation of Master Builders

Sector

Construction

Disciplines

Visual identity
Graphic language
Brand guidelines
Editorial design
Print design

Colophon

Print — Gavin Martin

01 — Evolution

02 — Building blocks

01. The redrawn identity brings together a house symbol, hexagonal frame, founding year and wordmark. Its deep red palette references the rich colour of traditional Tudor bricks.

02. An isometric blueprint grid provides the framework for the graphic language, bringing structure and consistency to layouts.

03. Research uncovered a 1970/71 FMB yearbook and an original logo printing block, offering a tangible connection to the organisation’s design heritage.

04. An earlier FMB identity depicts the homes and blocks of flats of post-war Britain. Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit the FMB stand at the Building the New Britain Exhibition, Olympia, in 1957. Image: Federation of Master Builders / Pathé.

03 — 1970s publication with logo print block

04 — FMB logo in 1957

Built on craftsmanship. United by design. A clearer and more disciplined identity for the UK’s largest trade body for small and medium-sized builders, since 1941. The new identity launched with the 2024 Builders’ Manifesto, unveiled at the UK Parliament.