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Discovery phase
page 2 Background to the project
page 3 Induction to the site
page 4 Site visits
page 8 Mental mapping
page 11 Site users
page 12 Discovery phase conclusions
Transformation phase
page 14 Modular signage concept
page 16 Wayfinding imagery
page 18 Site zones and naming
page 19 Zone pictograms
page 20 Building function pictograms
page 22 Stencil concept
Making phase
page 26 Final pictograms and signage templates
page 28 Induction map
page 30 Wayfinding locations and signage specifications
Appendices
page 33 Appendix A - mental maps
DISCOVERY u
TRANSFORM
Wayfinding 1
Background to the
project
Kier Group is involved in building, civil engineering, opencast
mining, facilities management, residential and commercial
property investment, and PFI project investment.
The challenge
Reading Central One has been chosen for this wayfinding
project due to the challenges involved in an ever changing
environment. A construction site will have many different
users from many different backgrounds, each with their own
requirements and goals. The workforce will change as the
building develops, so any wayfinding system will need to
adapt to these changes.
Project goals
To understand how users navigate around a construction
site
Create user profiles and understand their individual
requirements
Identification of key information points around Reading
Central One
Design a wayfinding system that is easily understood by
newcomers to the site
Produce an adaptable 'Design guide to wayfinding on
construction sites' for Kier
There were 10 inductees of which 50% were foreign
workers
The induction room was decorated on all walls with Kier
marketing materials such as photos from past and present
construction schemes
The inductor gave his presentation at the end of the table
using an A3 portable flipchart, with most pages consisting
of multiple bullet points
There was mention of welfare at 'the bottom of the hill'
Designated mobile phone safe zones and smoking areas
were explained
There is to be no urinating on site; we were asked to use IDEA Entrance to the site is through a
Could simplify the map, including turnstile in the security hut.
the toilets provided vital information, and use as a Access is granted after your palm
We were shown a map of the site (a CAD plan with handout. It would need to illustrate has been read (palm reader on the
ever-present elements of the site right of the turnstile).
elements added) and told where the fire muster point was.
It was not made clear where we were in relation to the point Also note the variable messaging
sign above the doorway just
Site specific safety issues were mentioned such as debris inside. This is to give warnings of
stairway closures in the main
blowing onto the railway line, no parking on site, and
building. I didn’t notice this sign
storage of chemicals; but no illustration of locations of on my first visit - probably due to
the overload of information as I
these were shown walked in.
Wayfinding 3
Site visits
3x entrances Catering
into main building trailer Toilets - subcontractor Fire muster point
Forbury Road
Site boundary Kier site offices Security hut with Pedestrian footpath Deliveries entrance
(2 levels) palm reader
(single level)
10
11
12
9
13 20
8
6
7
5
4
2 3
Forbury Road
1 2 3 4 5
Entrance to the site viewed from the First set of warnings through first Door into security hut - no labels to Inside the security hut. Palm reader Briefing boards where daily workload
road crossing. Site office with Cable door. Note large list of site safety rules define the entrance. on right of turnstile and lots of visual is discussed and issues raised with
and Wireless building behind. and directional signs to security hut - clutter on walls. subcontractors.
too much information.
6 7 8 9 10
Maps updated on briefing boards - Homemade signage - laminated A4. Path ‘down’ to subcontractors offices Crossing the road to the Inside the welfare facilities.
these maps can become messy and welfare. subcontractors offices. Gateway is a
due to hand drawn data. good warning. Smoking behind steps.
11 12 13 14 15
Catering trailer and path defined by Inconsistent signage from different Protecting a new duct using fencing Fire exit on roof - route not clear / Illustrating tone of voice - ‘for your
fencing. subcontractors - different colours and coloured tape - lack of signage shut off. safety’.
and styles can portray different does not highlight the danger.
meanings.
16 17 18 19 20
Paths defined by spray paint on the Each floor has a notice board with Signage on waste bins - laminated Modular fire point on each floor. Directions in words - legibility could
ground. safety advice, fire routes and signs are damaged easily. be an issue for foreign workers.
emergency eye wash unit.
Wayfinding 5
Route from outside, through delivery entrance
and down past storage area to subcontractors
12 11 5
7 6
10 9
8
1 2
Forbury Road
1 2 3 4 5
Looking down the road towards the Delivery entrance gates. Land rented Looking into deliveries area - lack of View down road towards Cable and Fire muster point on corner of road -
deliveries entrance - small entrance from Cable and Wireless site. signage may be problematic for Wireless building. green sign.
sign on lighting column causes materials deliveries.
legibility issues for deliveries.
6 7 8 9 10
Entrance into materials storage for Materials on either side of the road. ‘Homemade’ spill kit near fuel storage Travelling under the Cable and Waste bins on right, under the Cable
site. area - a good idea if consistent Wireless building. and Wireless building.
throughout the site.
11 12
4 3 2 1
5
6
10 11
12
13
20
14
17 19
15 16
18
Forbury Road
1 2 3 4 5
View from 1st floor of subcontractors Entrance to perimeter path around All overhead works have seclusion Exclusion zone. Well used path. Railway line to the
office. Catering trailer on right and the main building. Bright colour is an zones to protect people below from right behind fencing.
main building on left. effective contrast. falling debris. Logos on warning signs
are common.
6 7 8 9 10
Warning signs on exclusion zone. Looking back towards railway line and More subcontractor branding / Danger of death - standard signage New paths evolving during the build.
bridge. Potential landmarks outside signage - too many sign styles. used.
building perimeters.
11 12 13 14 15
Narrow paths around exclusion zones Overhead works - dangers found Some fencing is wrapped to prevent Movable edges leading to a hidden Path between the fixed hoarding and
- pathways are always changing not just at ground level, but also damage from flying debris. Signage path entrance. the movable fencing.
as the site develops. at height. needs to be clear behind this mesh.
16 17 18 19 20
Sprayed wayfinding in perimeter - Site offices with Cable and Wireless Sprayed reference letter relates to grid Movable edges. Edge between the main building (left)
sprayed paths work well indoors building behind. system on actual plans. Hoarding is a and the site offices (right).
but are quickly degraded outside. good location as it is consistent
throughout the construction.
Wayfinding 7
Mental mapping
When asking ground workers to complete a mental map (a Upon my second trip to the site I focused on staff within the
map drawn from memory) I was confronted with an site office, and changed my approach slightly. Instead of just
unwillingness to put pen to paper; all the participants claimed asking for a mental map, I also asked questions on site
that they 'could not draw'. However, once started they still navigation to tease out more landmarks and focus points.
illustrated key areas even if they had only been on site for one These users were mainly engineers and this had a marked
day. effect on the mental map accuracy.
User role Which route would you take What features on the site are What is the busiest route on
Time on site from your place of work to most memorable to you? the site?
the fire muster point?
Receptionist
Go out of the site office
The ‘little box' I work in! From the main entrance to
4 months on site front doors the subcontractors office
Turn left at end of steps
Follow the path around to
the right
Walk to assembly point
A number of people refer to going
Site engineer
Walk down steps
Construction building Around the perimeter ‘down’ the path, this spacial
12 months on site
Past the briefing board
Site office hoarding characteristic obviously aids the
Down the path past the
Main gate mental image of this route.
retaining wall
Turnstiles
Another point to mention here is
Through the gate the Cable and Wireless building;
Straight along the road the name seems to confuse users
Telewest building on the of this site - some calling it
right Telewest or just the ‘other’
building.
Down to the car park
Labourer
From entrance turnstile go
Construction building toilets Security hut to
12 months on site down the walkway
Glass lifts subcontractors office
Past the offices and
concrete beam
Turn right along the
walkway at the
subcontractors offices and
past the skips
Straight along the road
Quantity surveyor 2
Down back staircase
From a distance the BMU Welfare into the building (past
13 months on site
Down the path past the (building maintenance unit), the canteen)
signs on hoarding on a local level the
Turn right with welfare in excavators
front
Go under the Cable and
Wireless building
Go to top end of compound
Wayfinding 9
Analysis of the mental maps enabled me to create a map
highlighting the five elements described by Kevin Lynch, i.e.
paths, edges, nodes, districts and landmarks. The definition
of these elements follows below:
Paths Nodes
Places where the observer moves, often associated Strategic points of entry that are a focus of users
with a concentration of special use, or remembered attention; an area of decision making during their
by their spatial qualities, e.g. an incline. journey.
Edges Landmarks
Linear breaks in continuity that are not considered A point of reference, distant or local. They are a
as paths by the user. They are important barriers singled out element to aid navigation. Lynch
that can hold together generalised areas. mentions that the user cannot enter a landmark;
however, for this project the buildings are often
Districts landmarks in their own right so I shall label them as
Areas that the user can ‘enter inside of’. They are individual landmarks.
often defined by their physical and thematic
characteristics.
Roundabout
Site users
SITE KNOWLEDGE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
Goods in / materials
Entrance / security
Staff parking
welfare area
Site office
grounds
area
area
Work danger Site
hut
level induction
Makers
Tradespeople HIGH Site users have been split into 5
different groups: Makers,
Drivers/movers HIGH Designers, Organisers, Supporters
and Visitors.
Labourers HIGH
Each user group has slightly
Designers different interests and site
Engineers MEDIUM knowledge, but all must have a
good understanding / image of
Technicians MEDIUM their whereabouts on site. The
larger circles represent site areas
Organisers of more importance based on the
user requirements.
Project managers MEDIUM
Foremen MEDIUM
Finance and legal LOW
Supporters
Administration LOW
Catering LOW
Cleaning LOW
Security MEDIUM
Visitors
Directors LOW
Prospective tenants LOW
Goods deliveries MEDIUM
5 6 7
8
9
4
2
1
Wayfinding 11
Discovery phase
conclusions
Analysis of the site has shown the following points:
There is a varied ability of site understanding by the users;
this is complicated by the large number of foreign workers.
The site is continuously adapting to change, so any
wayfinding solution must be flexible enough to cope with a
variety of user flows.
Key landmarks have been identified and these should be
constant throughout the build, as should key paths.
A number of references were made to the spacial
characteristics of the path from the entrance to the
subcontractors offices; a mapping solution would need to
illustrate this gradient.
Signage on site is inconsistent, with varied tone of voice.
This is due to the number of different users creating
bespoke, in-house signage.
Most signs are produced as text warnings - would this be
understood by all the users?
The focus of the mapping area should be around the
construction site with references to the location of external
points such as materials storage and fire must point.
Next steps
Naming conventions for areas
Create a simplified, adaptable map
Explore flexible signage systems and define typeface,
pictograms and tone of voice
COVERY w
TRANSFORMATION u
MAKIN
Wayfinding 13
Modular signage
concept
IDEA:
To link the top section (used for the
pictogram) with the bottom text
element, it would be wise to use a
white material for the middle bar.
Wayfinding 15
Wayfinding imagery
All other site signs currently used have been created in-house
and consist mainly of type. Where I have found an option in
the Stocksigns catalogue I have highlighted this on the map.
Options
Option
Options
Option
Option
Prohibition
A red circular band with diagonal cross bar on a white
background, the symbol within the circle to be black denoting
a safety sign that indicates that a certain behaviour is
prohibited.
Hazard
A yellow triangle with black border and symbol within the
yellow area denoting a safety sign that gives warning of a
hazard.
Mandatory
A blue circle with white symbol denoting a sign that a specific
course of action must be taken.
Fire equipment
A red rectangle or square with symbol in white denoting a
safety sign that indicates the location of fire fighting
equipment.
Safe condition
A green rectangle or square with symbol or text in white
denoting a safety sign providing information about safe
conditions.
Wayfinding 17
Site zones and naming
To allow efficient movement through the site, it is necessary to Other areas to include are more specific to certain users. They Even though some locations will
not be required by all users, it is
create a naming convention for the various buildings and are spread to the right of the main map; they include: Waste still necessary for them to
areas; pictograms should also be included to prevent and Recycling, Materials Zone, Deliveries, and Visitor understand their relative locations
to create a good mental image of
language barriers. Parking (not to be made available for general staff). the site.
Site Entry
Security hut Notes: Key words:
Main entry to the site on foot, this is a Entry
Entry palm reader corridor from the outside to the Hectic
Turnstiles Construction Zone. Confusing and daunting
Information overload
The first area staff will engage with, it is Security
a mix of new starters and long term Timesheets
workers.
Site Office
Kier management team Notes: Key words:
Central control of the site and it’s Control
Design team continued design. The Site office has Management
Reception area a number of functions and is the first Multi-function
stop after entry for new starters. Organisation
Induction room Information
First aid room Induction
Welfare Buildings
Subcontractors offices Notes: Key words:
These buildings are the hub of the Building / construction hub
Food trailer construction works and Subcontractors
Canteen areas subcontractors areas. Busy
Dirty
Clothes drying room They offer a rest and base for site Rest area
Toilets workers throughout working hours.
Smoking area
Phone Zones
3 areas on site where Notes: Key words:
Mobile phone use on sites has been Safe
phone use is permitted found to contribute to many accidents; Communicate
for this reason they are not permitted Phone
anywhere except within buildings and Accident reduction
the mobile phone safe zones.
Fire Muster
A shared area with the Notes: Key words:
The fire muster point is located past Walk
neighbouring building - the materials area, a short walk from Safe
200m the main site. ’Off site’
located in the car park
Zone pictograms
Pictograms follow the colours set by the zones and are used
to identify them quickly and efficiently, hopefully without the
need for associated text descriptions.
Site Entry Site Entry Site Entry Site Entry Site Entry
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
Site Office Site Office Site Office Site Office Site Office
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5
Room Office
CSCS
CSCS
P
Waste & Materials Visitor
Recycling Zone Deliveries Parking
6.3 7.3 8.3
6.4
Waste &
Recycling
Wayfinding 21
Stencil concept
Wayfinding 23
24 Oliver Tomlinson - Autumn term 2009
DISCOVERY w
TRANSFORMATION w
MAKING
wSFORMATION w
MAKING
Wayfinding 25
Final pictograms and
signage templates
The pictograms below have been designed to illustrate
essential areas and zones within the construction site.
CSCS
P
Site Waste & Materials Visitor
information Recycling Zone Deliveries Parking
Directional signage should be the directional information but still Warning and location signs should
landscape to give added make the object conspicuous in a be portrait.
directional properties to the arrow. construction environment. The
white centre line between the two
The signage frame to be a grey A4 laminates joins them together
colour so as not to compete with allowing them to work as one unit.
Welfare
Buildings Drying
Room
Icon alignment
Welfare
Buildings
No unauthorised
Site Entry persons allowed
Fire Muster and Exit beyond this point
Wayfinding 27
Induction map
P
Other buildings
Delivery
Gateman
Option
Forbury Road
Useful contacts
Project Manager Site Office Kier website
07789 727 812 0118 272 4827 www.kier.co.uk
Actual size - A4
CSCS
P
Other buildings
Delivery
Gateman
Option
Forbury Road
Useful contacts
Project Manager Site Office Kier website
07789 727 812 0118 272 4827 www.kier.co.uk
29
MAKING
TRANSFORMATION w
Wayfinding locations &
signage specifications
Site Entry
Welfare
Buildings
Fire Muster
Site Office
Directional signs fixed to a post
using screws or cable ties.
3
Directional signs hung to a scaffold
pole. Note the continued Fire
Muster point location.
Welfare
Buildings
Fire Muster
Canteen
6
Most signage within the
construction site will be warning
signs; as per location signage,
these are also portrait.
Do not move or
enter this
exclusion zone
Access to ground
floor via
STAIR 3 or 4
Wayfinding 31
32 Oliver Tomlinson - Autumn term 2009
APPENDIX: A
Appendix A
Mental maps
Site receptionist
4 months on site
Wayfinding 33
Site engineer
12 months on site
Labourer
12+ months on site
Wayfinding 35
External works engineer
2.5 months on site
Quantity surveyor 1
19 months on site
Wayfinding 37
Quantity surveyor 2
13 months on site
Carpenter
2 months on site
Wayfinding 39
Plasterer
1 day on site