Image Credit : Fraser Marsden
Project Overview
Buro North were engaged to work collaboratively with Monash University to develop a new addressing strategy, wayfinding principles and signage system for their campuses. We developed a strategic position that allows them to self manage their signage and wayfinding needs into the future, whilst using a robust and flexible strategy that is supported by contemporary sign designs that align with their brand vision, future campus design principles and respond to user testing.
Following the testing phase undertaken to assess the existing conditions, Buro North tested the new design solution using the same process and questions. Findings were conclusive in that 100% of users tested could find themselves on the campus map, as opposed to just 58% previously, with a similar increase in performance across a range of tasks including identification of major pathways, buildings and route planning to end destinations. The design solution has been positively received by both the University and users, and has stood up to the rigours of cleaning schedules, graffiti and vandalism and student open day...
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Soren Luckins
Finn Butler
Jess Caffin
David Williamson
Project Brief
University campuses have a tendency to grow over time, starting out with broad open spaces between buildings, and as funding sporadically becomes available infill buildings are inserted to create greater density. At Monash Clayton this is particularly true as it represents one of the largest campus footprints of any university in the world, with the campus growing continually in users and built form over the last few decades. The campus had struggled to deliver quality pedestrian environments due to vehicle centric circulation, the counter intuitive building numbering that had evolved over the years, and a complete disconnect with the site’s context and urban grain. The objective of the wayfinding strategy was to deliver on the intent of the University's master plan by providing an intuitive pedestrian environment. Syntax analysis was used to establish a hierarchy of primary and secondary pedestrian circulation that was then used to name streets and roads within the campus to create journeys that were simple and easy to describe as well as being aligned with sequential building numbers for ease of navigation.
Project Innovation/Need
Buro North developed the wayfinding strategy, signage design and new campus maps and extensively tested the new designs with staff and student interviews, task/time analysis through ethnographic research to generate design feedback. This research methodology highlighted the issues with Monash's old system, and assisted us to develop a strategy that directly related to the users navigational requirements. These surveys provided us the means to cross reference qualitative and quantitative data in developing a highly effective design response. Each sign type was tested for visibility, legibility and comprehension with the users of the site. With a significant number of new users attempting to find new destinations at the start of each semester, along with industry partners and academics arriving as new users the need for a robust wayfinding strategy is critical.
Design Challenge
The main challenges and opportunities faced on the project related to managing the many agendas that wayfinding signage is engaged with; Monash University are aiming to create a nurturing, compelling and stimulating place for their users. Signage design needs to align with various statutory requirements and standards. The brand must be represented in a visually compelling manner. Aesthetics must be considered so that signage can sit comfortably next to heritage buildings, parkland or the latest in contemporary Australian Architecture. Wayfinding signage should be both confident and bold when required for navigation, but recessive and not noticed when not required by users. Campus signage needs to withstand graffiti, be tamper proof and be modular, allowing for the regular changes to campuses that invariably occur. The design needed to relate to the research outcomes to ensure the highest degree of efficacy was achieved to enable future users to navigate easily and intuitively.
Our design solution leverages the upturned triangle from the University crest to morph, develop, progress and bind larger and stronger forms. Using the triangle as the key design driver also allows us to develop a completely modular and scale-able solution to roll out across a range of signs.
Sustainability
The signage design has been developed as a modular system that allows multiple sign types to utilise the same precast concrete base and structural elements, in order to allow the signage at Monash to move and change as the campus continues to develop. The signage graphics themselves are also update-able to allow future changes in a cost, and material efficient manner. For this project we have focussed significantly on developing a signage system with a lifespan of 15+ years, in order to provide a sustainable long term solution.
Wayfinding
This award celebrates creative and innovative design in the ways people orient themselves in physical space, and navigate from place to place. Consideration given to signage and other graphic communication, clues in the building's spatial grammar, logical space planning, audible communication, tactile elements and provision for special-needs users.
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