Understanding the IHF Logo

Symbolically representing the organisational mission

 

The Trademark Logo of IHF represents the ethos of the organisation with deep symbolism and colour analogies. Collaboration lies at the core of the organisational mission of developing a housing ecosystem that fosters low-income housing.

 
 

Hence, the logo had to embody the spirit of collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders that comprise the complex housing sector in India.

  • The logo represents the coming together of three key stakeholder types - the Government (including the federal, state and local governments as well as government agencies and parastatal bodies); the not-for-profit entities (including citizen sector organisations, academic institutions, think tanks and philanthropists); and for-profit entities (including material manufacturers, financial institutions, private developers, building sector professionals and service providers).

  • The three types of housing stakeholders are brought together while keeping the interest of the primary target segment, low-income households, as the focal point at the centre.

  • The triangle formed from the intersection of the three types of stakeholders reaffirms IHF’s role at the core of the sector, as an ecosystem enabler, leveraging collaborations and partnerships to truly transform the housing sector, especially for benefiting the focal point i.e. low-income communities. 

The Inspiration: Celtic Triquetra Knot

The inspiration for the IHF Logo is drawn from the Celtic Triquetra Knot, which is an ancient symbol with three intersecting vesica pisces (or, alternatively, interlocked arcs), which was revived through Celtic insular art in the 8th century CE. While the historical understanding of the Triquetra Knot was in the religious context of the neo-pagan triple goddess, and later the catholic holy trinity, the modern interpretation of this Celtic symbol has expanded to generically represent the intersection of three segments of a whole, that are “united to the end” - for instance air, water and earth (environment); past, present and future (time); or mind, body and soul (human).

The IHF Interpretation

It is in this modern interpretation that the IHF logo borrows from the Celtic Triquetra Knot, to represent the intersection of the three layers of the housing ecosystem - government, not-for-profit and for-profit - through the knot created by IHF in the form of a housing stakeholder platform.

Extending this concept into the visual symbolism, the three intersecting vesica pisces have been substituted with line drawings of three houses, to convey the core focus on the housing sector.

The logo is minimalistic and uses colours that exude the brand values of IHF -

  • Blue signifies credibility and optimism;

  • Green embodies vitality, growth, and approachability;

  • Orange conveys energy and creativity; and

  • White symbolises originality and neutrality.