Article #3

New resources to help the industry find their way
1st April 2008
(http://www.construction-innovation.info/index.php?id=38)

Two new publications from the Wayfinding in the Built Environment project are now available to help designers, developers, property owners and managers to create a more accessible and inclusive built environment. The project has focused on identifying technologies and systems that can make it easier and safer for people who
have a sensory impairment, particularly a vision impairment, to find their way around large public areas. Led by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation, the three-stage research project has involved an industry partnership of the public and private sectors working together with a national research team.

The design guidelines outline a design method to wayfinding, including technologies,
solutions and strategies. It identifies universal wayfinding design principles and includes an audit checklist template which can be customised for gathering information on buildings and surrounds. The resource is applicable to new buildings and their immediate surrounding spaces and upgrades of existing buildings.

Building commissioner Tony Arnel says: "A wayfinding system is a lot more than just signs - it encompasses aspects like architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, lighting and landmarks. There are also universal applications for wayfinding design principles that take into consideration people who are less mobile, the elderly and those with a low level understanding of written English." The Wayfinding resourcescan be found at the Construction Innovation website at www.construction-innovation. info and is free of charge.


ANALYSIS:
This article shows us the benefits of using a wayfinding system. This system properly designed, integrates with surrounding architecture, landscape, interior design and lighting, making it easier for people to access and understand environments. It also needs to be coordinated with other surrounding communications so the signage system can communicate clearly and run smoothly. The article above explains how wayfinding systems are becoming more and more usefull on construction sites and are helping to expand our workforce as Tony Arnel mentions. By using the wayfinding system people who are less mobile, with a low understanding of English or elderly can get around sites much easier and safer which is why more and more construction sites are using them.