When planning and renovating buildings, it is important to allow for easy navigation. It’s no good building a fantastic building if you can’t navigate your way around it! This is where wayfinding comes in. When you prioritise an easy wayfinding structure, you can ensure that users move seamlessly through the space, reducing confusion and frustration. This makes the building both functional and welcoming.
In this article, we will be learning about what wayfinding in architecture is, why it’s so important and different options out there. Let’s get into it!
What is wayfinding in Architecture?
Wayfinding design is an intuitive and nonverbal way of knowing where you are and where you want to be physically within a space. It is essential in complex environments like airports, shopping centres, and hospitals, as it helps reduce stress and increases efficiency. Wayfinding within architecture involves visual cues, spatial layouts, and other environmental elements that help easily guide and navigate people through a physical environment.
Wayfinding can be incorporated into architecture through various methods, depending on the space and what you want to achieve. These methods help guide users through a space efficiently and with ease. Some of these method include:
Visual imagery
Visual imagery uses colours, textures, and shapes to influence how people perceive and experience a space. It helps identify the building’s key functions and creates a more inclusive, engaging, user-friendly space.
Signage
Signage is used to convey directions via symbols, text or images. However, the use of signage is restricted because not everyone is familiar with the universally accepted standard pictographs. To overcome this, you can use these symbols in conjunction with visual imagery so that people can better understand what they’re seeing.
Scalability
Scalability is the ability of a wayfinding system to adapt to the physical environment as it changes while ensuring it remains effective. This includes areas such as campuses, urban areas, or multi-phase construction projects. Scalability ensures that the wayfinding system continues to provide clear and effective navigation despite the growth of the environment it lives in.
Why is wayfinding in architecture important?
As buildings have become larger and more complex, ensuring the space is navigable should be a top priority. People rely on visual cues to help them get to where they need to go, which means that wayfinding design needs to be clear, effective and international. Wayfinding is not just recommended; it’s essential due to the significant impact it can have on both visitors and building owners.
Here are just a few of the ways it can make an impact:
- Some wayfinding design elements are required to meet certificate of occupancy requirements.
- Without clear guidance, visitors can feel lost, confused, and anxious.
- A poor or nonexistent wayfinding system can negatively affect a business’s reputation, reducing the likelihood of visitors returning.
- Failing to account for wayfinding can result in costly renovations further down the line.
- When wayfinding isn’t considered, it can cause safety hazards.
Building effective wayfinding signage
Designing effective wayfinding signage is difficult, but people all around the world rely on it. A good way to spot if wayfinding signage is doing its job well is if you don’t notice it! The best signage causes no issues and helps you get to where you need to go, no questions asked.
Wayfinding signage is also an excellent opportunity to show your brand personality and create a unique visitor experience. Effective signage shows that you’ve paid close attention to looking after visitors while they’re on-site, leading to a positive brand association.
Lastly, wayfinding and directional signage help create comfort and consistency for users, allowing them to discover the space independently. If this is true for your wayfinding, then you’ve designed a system that caters to them and will keep them coming back!
Types of wayfinding signs
When designing a wayfinding system, understanding the different types of signs is crucial for choosing the right system for your space. Each type of wayfinding sign serves a unique purpose, guiding users through spaces in unique ways. Let’s explore the different types of wayfinding signs:
Outdoor building signs
These typically display business logos, names, contact information, etc., to help visitors gather information before they step into the building.
Totems and monoliths
Totems and monoliths are the most common types of signs used to signal entrances and exits. They inform passers-by of important information, such as opening times or directions to key areas.
Post and panel signs
These commonly direct people to entrances and exits and display maps to help with navigation and orientation.
Finger posts
Finger posts are commonly used outdoors around university campuses, hospitals, etc., to keep visitors on track to their destination.
Directories and interchangeable plaques
These are often located near lifts, stairs, corridors, and entrances to help visitors navigate different floors. They display information such as room numbers.
Wall graphics
Wall graphics, through creative designs and illustrations, enhance the user experience and are often used as memorable and unique wayfinding.
Floor graphics
Usually found in reception areas of buildings to convey regulatory information or provide a more obvious route for people to follow.
Door signs
These are commonly found in staff-assigned spaces, such as hospitals, where communal spaces are separate from private spaces. These often feature braille to increase accessibility.
Banners
Banners are temporary solutions for events and are useful when the sign’s location needs to be changed. They aren’t often used for permanent use on large structures.
How can Born Digital help?
Wayfinding in architecture is crucial for creating navigable, user-friendly environments that enhance the user experience, but they can be hard to get right. Born Digital’s approach to wayfinding design is rooted in clarity, functionality, and aesthetics, ensuring that every visitor can easily find their way confidently and easily. Whether they’re navigating a hospital, college, or entire city, we create systems catering to various spaces.
With decades of experience across a variety of projects, Born Digital has mastered the ability to help thousands of people get exactly where they need to go. Contact us today to see how we can transform your architectural projects!