Final Wayfinding Book

GdAM GETTING THERE GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 1

GdAM GETTING THERE rethinking wayfinding at northeastern Pamela Andrade Sara LaPorte Graphic design, Architecture & Multimedia Amanda Athanasiou Erica LeLievre students came together in the inaugural offering of Alison Baggen Tim Loranger “Environmental design” to form an interdisciplinary Laura Bernstein Britt Soler studio. Our task was to re-envision wayfinding at the Emily Czarnecki Kate Terrado university. This book represents our recommendations Alexander Davis Alex Turnwall for new wayfinding initiatives, and an overview of the Brett Eksuzian Ryan Sullivan, research that got us there. Geoff House instructor Spring 2010

THE RESEARCH PROCESS 1. Discipline-based 2. Human-centered research 3. Synthesis knowledge gathering We began by doing what we each did Our first interdisciplinary research, bro- Amalgamation: through a shared pro- best – researching our own areas of ex- ken into groups that each had a different cess, overlapping human-centered pertise. What did Northeastern currently way of exploring the connections that insights were revealed. do? What are some precedents that we people had to campus. should look at or avoid? LOOK Observe the way that user groups DESIGN Branding standards, sign-making interact with the campus as an environ- process, current state of wayfinding at ment, both physically and virtually. Northeastern. ACT Interact with other systems that may ARCHITECTURE Morphology, urban form, shed some light on how we can improve pedestrian traffic, green space. our own. INTERACTIVE Web, mobile, kiosks. ASK Conduct interviews and hand out blank maps that will tell about user ex- periences with campus wayfinding.

CONTENTS research 1 why wayfinding? 2 wayfinding defined 3 research methodology 4 key insights solutions 13 1 the system 28 2 a smart campus 43 3 greeters 52 4 boundaries 59 5 social spaces 64 6 columbus connection 72 7 tunnels 75 8 sharing space 78 9 northeastern avenue

WHAT IS WAYFINDING, EXACTLY? When we speak about wayfinding It’s a system-based approach It’s physical It’s also digital in terms of design, we are simply By setting up rules for an entire The most obvious application is on cam- New technologies can make wayfinding talking about the system of tools wayfinding system, we can ensure pus signage. But think about the breadth more intuitive by giving the user real- consistent delivery across applications of applications there: time feedback. Still, these technologies that help direct a person from one – even those we might not know about must fit in with the physical elements. point to the next. The most obvi- currently. Consider: Directionals On-Campus Maps Northeastern Website ous example of this is the tradi- Brand + Identity System Personal printed maps iPhone app tional signage system. Typography guidelines Building signs other mobile apps? Photography guidelines Flags on street poles Displays screens Materials usage/procurement Room signs Kiosks But wayfinding today is not so ob- Sign shop Parking lots/garages Facebook & Social Media vious. There are complex systems, External building treatments Sports venues MBTA stations diverse user groups and different On-campus businesses kinds of technology. Our research In-building signage and experience in our individual disciplices yielded these areas of focus: 6 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

WHAT’S THE REAL NEED FOR WAYFINDING? To direct people To enhance user experience To attract “customers” This may seem like the most obvious Even if people can eventually find their A university has many potential “custom- reason, but it proves harder in practice. way from point A to point B, there still ers”. These may be potential students We found out that Northeastern can be may be an easier way to go about doing and their parents, investors, professors, an especially hard place to find your way so. If people can navigate their way the surrounding community – there is around and without a wayfinding system, around without really having to give it an endless list of stakeholders. If the people get frustrated and lost! any thought, then the system is working physical space on campus does not look properly. If they have to struggle – even a professional, you run the risk of loosing a bit – something can likely be improved. customer. By giving users the best system, you en- This may seem superficial, but think sure that they have the best experience. about it this way, have you been to an airport or subway station and felt lost? Did that experience make you harbor negative feelings towards that place, activity or organization? Feeling lost or unable to navigate can be a frustrating feeling and that can easily be associated with the organization that maintains that space. To minimize the possibility for this – intuitive wayfind systems that are professional and reflect the University’s brand should be considered. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 7

KEY INSIGHTS Boundaries Orientation A core requirement of our research was The idea behind this goal is to retain In general, physical orientation is crucial User routes are complex, involving to focus on the needs of campus. We Northeastern’s identity as a university, to a user’s ability to understand and many turns, shortcuts, longcuts, and identified many different user groups, while at the same time, effectively inte- successfully navigate their environment. non-orthogonal paths. broke up users into different categories, grating the campus into the surrounding By creating a frame of reference we ordered and re-ordered them. In the end, communities. are able to orient ourselves in a space Many of the landmarks people use to although we realize there are more spe- and effectively move from one point to navigate campus are unexpected and cific needs, we used a broad approach to We understand the intentions of the NU another. challenge what we traditionally think begin categorizing needs. Planning department and wayfinding of as a landmark. committee to have similar intentions. This is the foundation of wayfinding. Surprisingly, even daily, experienced Getting lost affects practical day to day users of the campus still felt lost in At northeastern there are a unique set routines, but It can also affect people sections that were outside of their daily of factors that shape the way physical more abstractly by changing the way “comfort zone.” Because of this trend, orientation happens and the adverse they feel about a place. we began to see how we would have to reactions that occur when people can’t design a system that worked for a variety orient themselves of users. 8 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

Consistency Pathmaking We visited six different campuses in the To improve wayfinding on campus, we greater Boston area to get a general idea should adapt to the way frequent users of how schools give themselves an image already use campus spaces. and identity. The map to the right depicts the paths that frequent users take. Through internet sources, on campus buildings, and signage we found some schools had better wayfinding systems than others. Northeastern should use consistency throughout campus but as a tool, not an overall goal. Using consistency as a tool will allow for creativity in the production of an identity on campus. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 9

COMMUNITY MEMBER THE HUMAN PERSPECTIVE Just your average day... To illustrate how real people – the very people we researched – would use our wayﬁnding system, we have a few story lines spread throughout the book. Each story represents a persona of someone in one of our target audiences. 1 There are three events that our six char- acters are travelling to: a lecture, an art exhibit and a hockey game. 3.1 LECTURER NU STUDENT 1 2 8 9 2 7 5.2 2 5.1 1 1 9 3.2 PARENT BU STUDENT 4 3 6.2 6.1 10 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding NU STUDENT

THE LECTURE THE ART EXHIBIT THE HOCKEY GAME Visiting lecturer Parent Community member Our lecturer has never been to North- Our parent is an infrequent visitor to The community member frequently easter. He’s arriving on the T and he has campus. She is driving to the parking passes through campus, but has no di- a smart phone. garage and then going to the art gallery. rect afﬁlitation with the university, other than the fact that he likes hockey. He’s headed to the game on foot. Northeastern student Northeastern student 2 Other student visitors This student lives in Northeastern hous- Our second student comes to camp[us We have a student visting from another ing on Columbus Ave. She’s headed to by foot and is headed to the art gallery. college who is trying to ﬁnd his way to the lecture and walks to get there. the hockey game as well. He took the orange line to Ruggle to get to campus.

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1 The System BRIEF: The most obvious aspect of wayfinding is signage, and this includes a wide breadth of applications. The objective is to not only dictate where these signs would be most useful, but also to determine the formal characteristics that would make the sign most effective in a user’s decision- making process. SOLUTION: The end goal is to have a user comfort- ably and successfully navigate the environment. There should never be a point of confusion in the user’s experience and signage should never been seen as obtrusive. NARRATIVE: A BU student is on his way to the hockey game. He is unfamiliar with the campus and gets confused about the location of Mat- thews. However, he sees a directional sign and continues on. Elsewhere, a community member finds an interactive kiosk and sees that there is a hockey game. He gets directions and makes his way to Mat- thews. A parent going to the art gallery sees a map that assists her in finding her way to the gallery.

TYPOGRAPHY ITC New Baskerville and Helvetica are the official fonts of the University. ()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@A Helvetica Neue serves as an informative and HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_à readable display face. It is economical in terms of space and the bold weight can be read at great Helvetica Neue Bold Condensed distances. New Baskerville is used for the University ID and )*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@AB IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_àb materials that require a more formal presentation. ! New Baskerville Roman )*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@AB IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_àb ! New Baskerville Italic 14 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

COLOR When choosing colors, it is important to select ones that are easily identifiable. They are to appear on signage, which will correspond to the colors of the zones of the redesigned map. PMS 110 PMS 145 PMS 173 PMS 362 PMS 301 (0, 12, 100, 7) (0, 47, 100, 8) (0, 69, 100, 4) (70, 0, 100, 9) (100, 45, 0, 18) ICONS The purpose of the icons is to introduce a set of symbols to aid in campus wayfinding. They are meant to be Residential Academic Parking Emergency Wheelchair Cycling used in conjunction with phones accessible interactive and online services. Sciences Engineering Health Computer Business Criminal Art, media, Social sciences sciences administration justice + design sciences GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 15

DEFINING CAMPUS ZONES Physical orientation is crucial to a user’s ability to understand and successfully navigate their environment. By creating a frame of reference, we are able to orient ourselves in a space and effectively move from one point to another. Dividing the campus into colored zones allows for better navigation through the campus as a whole. The proposed zones do not have an identity, they are simply an organizational tool where one can easily determine their location on a map by looking at their surroundings. Zone colors will be represented on kiosks, signage, and other wayﬁnding elements with the goal of being easily recognizable from any given point on campus. Zones are determined using two frames of reference: common paths + boundaries. 16 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

Paths as a frame of reference Boundaries as a frame of reference Huntington Avenue and Forsyth Street are Visual boundaries and physical boundaries The wall surrounding Ruggles Station is two of the most commonly traveled paths on were also used to determine campus zones. perhaps the most imposing barrier on campus. Therefore, these two paths are used The narrow pathways moving between campus. In only three locations can one pass as the initial dividing lines when deciding Snell Library and the Curry Student Center, through or over the wall. From both Columbus campus zones. along with the passage between Ell Hall Avenue and Northeastern University, the wall and Dodge Hall, do not provide visual seems to be a solid element dividing the connectivity. Therefore, one side of Curry campus. For this reason, it is considered a feels disconnected from the other, forming a deﬁning zone line. boundary between the two zones. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 17

REDESIGNING THE MAP “There’s so much stuff on the map, and it’s organized by the initials of building names. I never know what they stand for.” A Northeastern student In the current map, the axonometric In our redesign, a grid enables users to The redrawn map is also oriented so that projection of the entire campus obstructs easily locate buildings, which are labeled Huntington is horizontal and visually the important views of pathways and distort with three letter abbreviations. Each zone represents the dividing line of campus. different areas of campus. The angled has a landmark building incorporated view point disorients the user and the literal in axonometric projection which is Northeastern is located in the heart of representation of the campus makes it architecturally distinctive and easily Boston, surrounded by many recognizable difﬁcult to decipher which building is which, recognizable. This provides users with an landmarks. Users appreciated NU’s unique defeating the purpose of the illustrations. additional reference point. campus/city integration, so the map was expanded to include these cultural places of interest. 18 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

A B C D E F G H I J AAC KEN W es tla 1 Back Bay Fenw ay SMT nd BVD St MEL re et Christian KER CSH et Science Cente r re 2 Fenway CAH LOF St HEM y wa en m He P NRL STE 3 STW Museum of LGT FEN Fine Arts Symphony St Stephen Street outbound SPR STS HIL CTH Symphony inbound 4 WHT MAR 407 337 ROTC 319 Northeastern Museum of Fine Arts H u n t i n g t on Av e n u e University G a in RUB BUR WVH CAR STR KWL YMCA 5 et sbo CAB RIC DDG For syth Stre ro u et gh St Botolph Street P ARL re WVG MTH S t WVA-N KAR BRL ELL S tr e er DKS BLK Massachusetts 6 rk P GBG Avenue Pa CUL et WIL LAK HDN WVB MGR WVA-S FOR CHR P HTL HLM NGT HTG WVF CUR AAI LSC WVC ROB 7 n S t MSV DRC SEC SLB ts o P CNL Wa BEH SHL Ru gg le WVE EEC s St 8 P WVG Carter Playground re RYD et No rt ARC M as sa ha m SQU Cam P CBL P CBG pt on den 9 Ruggles Dou ch us et Da ven po DCB en ue St St g la bu s Av Ben ton St DCA C ol um Bu rke St s P P RNG COL Cov ent ry k Cun ard ts Av en rt St St Cyp rian 780 10 Me lne a COV St St ue Southwest Corridor REN Ca ss Blv s St re et INV Tre mo nt Pl 11 Boston Police Department d Academic Buildings AAC Asian-American Center - E1 AAI John D. O'Bryant COL Columbus Place & CUL Cullinane Hall - F6 ARC Architecture Studio - D8 CAH Cahners Hall - D2 African-American Institute - B7 Alumni Center - F10 HTG Hurtig Hall - F7 BLK Blackman Auditorium - E6 CSH Cushing Hall - D2 BEH Behrakis Health REN Renaissance Park - C11 MGR Mugar Life Sciences Building - F6 BRL Barletta Natarorium - D6 CTH Catholic Center - G4 Sciences Center - B7 SQU Badger-Rosen MTH Matthews Arena - H6 CAB Cabot Physical Education Center - D5 FEN Fenway Center - F3 CAR Cargill Hall - C5 SquashBusters Center - F9 ROB Robinson Hall - F7 CHR Churchill Hall - D6 HIL Hillel-Frager - F4 DKS Dockser Hall - C6 YMCA YMCA - F5 CUR Curry Student Center - E7 MAR Marino Recreation Center - D4 HLM Holmes Hall - C7 DDG Dodge Hall - F5 ROTC ROTC Office - E4 KAR Kariotis Hall - C6 DRC Dana Research Center - D7 BVD Belvidere Place - J1 KWL Knowles Center - C5 EEC Egan Engineering/Science LAK Lake Hall - C6 Research Center - D8 MSV Meserve Hall - C7 ELL Ell Hall - E6 NGT Nightingale Hall - C7 FOR Forsyth Building - D6 RYD Ryder Hall - B8 HDN Hayden Hall - E6 SHL Shillman Hall - C7 LSC Latino/a Student Cultural Center - D7 RIC Richards Hall - E5 SEC Snell Engineering Center - D7 SLB Snell Library - E7 Residence Buildings Academic Residence Buildings Parking Garages and Lots 319 319 Huntington Ave. - F4 BUR Burstein Hall - B5 780 780 Columbus Ave. - E10 INV International Village - C11 ARL Arena Lot - G6 337 337 Huntington Ave. - E4 RUB Rubenstein Hall - A5 COV 10 Coventry Street - E10 WVF West Village F - B7 CBG Columbus Garage - F9 407 407 Huntington Ave. - C4 WIL Willis Hall - C6 DCA Davenport Commons A - G9 WVG West Village G - B6 CBL Columbus Lot - E9 HEM 142-148 Hemenway St. - E2 WVA-N West Village A North - B6 DCB Davenport Commons B - G9 WVH West Village H - B5 CNL Camden Lot - G7 KEN Kennedy Hall - E1 WVA-S West Village A South - A6 GBG Gainsboro Garage - G6 KER Kerr Hall - D2 WVB West Village B - B6 HTL Hurtig Lot - G6 LOF Loftman Hall and WVC West Village C - B7 NRL North Lot - E3 153 Hemenway St. - D2 WVE West Village E - B8 RNG Renaissance Garage - D10 LGT Light Hall - F3 WVG West Village Garage - B8 MEL Melvin Hall - D1 SMT Smith Hall - E1 SPR Speare Hall - E4 STE Stetson East - E3 STS Levine Hall and St. Stephen St. Complex - E4 STW Stetson West - D3 WHT White Hall - D4 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 19

Campus Map A B C D E F G H I J AAC W KEN es tla 1 SMT nd BVD St B ack B ay Fe n w a y re MEL et KER C hristian CSH et S cience C enter Fe nway re 2 St CAH LOF a y HEM w en H em P STE NRL 3 Museum of STW Fine A r ts LGT FEN Symphony St Stephen Stre et outbound SPR STS HIL CTH Symphony inbound 4 WHT MAR 407 337 ROTC 319 Northeastern Museum of Fine Arts H untington Avenue University Gai 5 RUB BUR WVH CAR STR KWL re et YMCA nsb CAB RIC DDG oro Fo rs yt h St ugh et St Bo to lp h St reet P re WVG MTH St KAR BRL ELL ARL Stre r WVA-N ke P 6 P ar DKS BLK CUL Massachusetts et HDN MGR GBG Avenue WIL LAK WVA-S WVB FOR HLM CHR P HTG HTL WVF NGT CUR LSC ROB 7 WVC AAI n S t MSV DRC SEC tso BEH SHL SLB P Wa CNL Ru gg WVE le EEC s 8 P St WVG Carter Playground re RYD et Nort ARC Massa SQU ham Cam P P pton 9 CBL CBG den Dou c h u s e tt D a ve n p Ruggles venu e DCB St St gla bus A Be nt on St DCA Colum B ur ke S s P COL Co ve nt ry P o rt S t k Cu na rd RNG s Aven St Cy pr ia 10 780 t M el ne a COV St St ue ns S outhwest C or r ido r INV REN C as s B S tr e e t T re m o n t Pl 11 B oston P olice lv d D epar tment 20 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

Campus Map Key Academic Buildings AAC Asian-American Center - E1 AAI John D. O'Bryant COL Columbus Place & CUL Cullinane Hall - F6 ARC Architecture Studio - D8 CAH Cahners Hall - D2 African-American Institute - B7 Alumni Center - F10 HTG Hurtig Hall - F7 BLK Blackman Auditorium - E6 CSH Cushing Hall - D2 BEH Behrakis Health REN Renaissance Park - C11 MGR Mugar Life Sciences Building - F6 BRL Barletta Natarorium - D6 CTH Catholic Center - G4 Sciences Center - B7 SQU Badger-Rosen MTH Matthews Arena - H6 CAB Cabot Physical Education Center - D5 FEN Fenway Center - F3 CAR Cargill Hall - C5 SquashBusters Center - F9 ROB Robinson Hall - F7 CHR Churchill Hall - D7 HIL Hillel-Frager - F4 DKS Dockser Hall - C6 YMCA YMCA - F5 CUR Curry Student Center - E7 MAR Marino Recreation Center - D4 HLM Holmes Hall - C7 DDG Dodge Hall - F5 ROTC ROTC Office - E4 KAR Kariotis Hall - C6 DRC Dana Research Center - D7 BVD Belvidere Place - J1 KWL Knowles Center - C5 EEC Egan Engineering/Science LAK Lake Hall - C6 Research Center - D8 MSV Meserve Hall - C7 ELL Ell Hall - E6 NGT Nightingale Hall - C7 FOR Forsyth Building - D6 RYD Ryder Hall - B8 HDN Hayden Hall - E6 SHL Shillman Hall - C7 LSC Latino/a Student Cultural Center - D7 RIC Richards Hall - E5 SEC Snell Engineering Center - D7 SLB Snell Library - E7 Residence Buildings Academic Residence Buildings Parking Lots and Garages 319 319 Huntington Ave. - F4 BUR Burstein Hall - B5 780 780 Columbus Ave. - E10 INV International Village - C11 ARL Arena Lot - G6 337 337 Huntington Ave. - E4 RUB Rubenstein Hall - A5 COV 10 Coventry Street - E10 WVF West Village F - B7 CBG Columbus Garage - F9 407 407 Huntington Ave. - C4 WIL Willis Hall - C6 DCA Davenport Commons A - G9 WVG West Village G - B6 CBL Columbus Lot - E9 HEM 142-148 Hemenway St. - E2 WVA-N West Village A North - B6 DCB Davenport Commons B - G9 WVH West Village H - B5 CNL Camden Lot - G7 KEN Kennedy Hall - E1 WVA-S West Village A South - A6 GBG Gainsboro Garage - G6 KER Kerr Hall - D2 WVB West Village B - B6 HTL Hurtig Lot - G7 LOF Loftman Hall and WVC West Village C - B7 NRL North Lot - E3 153 Hemenway St. - D2 WVE West Village E - B8 RNG Renaissance Garage - D10 LGT Light Hall - F3 WVG West Village Garage - B8 MEL Melvin Hall - D1 SMT Smith Hall - E1 SPR Speare Hall - E4 STE Stetson East - E3 STS Levine Hall and St. Stephen St. Complex - E4 STW Stetson West - D3 WHT White Hall - D4 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 21

SIGNS “It’s basically impossible to tell someone how to get from Forsyth Street to the library.” A tour guide on giving directions The new system will supplement the existing that signage not obstruct current pathways, system in place on campus. It consists of stating that “probably small and subtle would directional signage, displaying a combination be best in our urban setting.” of localized maps, campus maps, directional words and arrows, and interactive features. Interactive and digital signage is placed in prominent social spaces on campus, while The design and location of the signage smaller, less prominent signs are placed were informed by intensive study of the along highly trafﬁcked routes on campus. Northeastern campus and those who interact with it. Frequent users found it integral 22 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

A Map: full A2 Map: localized B Directional C Existing sign SIGN LOCATION PLAN A.07 Directional message schedule B.01 West Village A.03 C B.06 Huntington B.02 West Village Admissions Centennial A.04 B.03 West Village A.01 C Huntington A.06 B.01 B.08 Forsyth B.03 B.05 B.04 Snell A2.01 B.07 Centennial A2.02 B.05 Snell B.02 Centennial B.04 A2.03 C Huntington Registrar C B.06 Huntington Freshman Quad C B.07 Matthews A.05 Huntington Columbus A.02 B.08 Matthews Huntington Columbus Curry GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 23

Sustainability was, naturally, a large concern, This is an eco-friendly process that seals the and was taken into account particularly in wood in a way which allows it to be stronger, deciding the materials of the placards. more durable, and virtually maintenance-free, while creating an attractive, tropical wood The core would be coated in a low VOC appearance. resin that either is self-illuminating, or is illuminated from below from LED lighting. The wood panels attached to the resin core would be made of Kebony wood. Admissions 24 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

Their scale is large enough to be easily accessible for the new user, but subtle enough in color and placement to appear integrated within the campus landscape. 2’-0” 2’-4” 0’-6” 3’-0” 0’-8” 6’-6” 0’-8” Admissions Admissions Centennial Huntington Freshman Quad 3’-6” A Full map A2 Localized map B Directional GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 25

Use updated logo to establish and promote new identity. Letters cut through to reveal zone color. Placement of either full or localized map. 2” reveal of self-illuminating zone-colored material, 1” wood sheets attached on either side. Dark wood makes the sign unobtrusive, but height allows for accessibility. 5” curb-cut around sign to allow uninterrupted traffic flow. Colored-material extends below wood sheets, illuminating information above. 26 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

Consistency as a tool allows for creativity, adaptability, individuality, and scalability. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 27

2 A smart campus Ac wo Ho ing pla cla BRIEF: Northeastern needs to modernize their wayﬁnding systems to keep up with competing institutions and if they want to stay at the forefront of technology – they ought to embrace new technologies in a big way. The opportunity exists to incor- porate wayﬁnding with scheduling on campus for a richer user experience. By laying a solid and scalable foundation, we’ll be able to start with one component and add on as technologies become more ubiquious, or as the University’s needs change. SOLUTION: A multiplatform tool that uses a centralized cloud- based database to feed scheduling and event information, as well as historical, cultural and other important University info to individual users. This information can be accessed via the web, mobile devices and on campus kiosks and digital displays.

database classroom unexpectedly booked? Is that study space actually open? For how long? What’s going on in the quad? Why is there such a long line outside of AfterHours? I displays onder who painted that? What’s this statue for? Where can I get tickets for that concert? How long does it take to get to the T from here? Is there a bike rack over there online ow do I get in there after the doors are locked? Where is the closest bathroom? Is the parking garage full? How late is the library open today? How crowded is the din- g hall tonight? What’s the current exhibit at Gallery 360? I wonder who took that photo? Can I use the pool today? Is there a hockey game tonight? I wonder what that aque is for? Where can I find more information about that statue? I heard I was supposed to rub the Husky’s barcodesfor good luck – where did that start? Where is my ne nose ass? Where do I go to get a new Husky Card? Where is the closest print station? Is my bank’s ATM nearby? Is there an open room for my event? When did that lecture mobile kiosk The answer to many of these questions isn’t All of the answers to these questions exist – IMAGINE BEING ABLE what you’d normally find on a map – and for just not in the same place... yet. TO GET INFORMATION good reason. Maps and wayfinding systems give general information to a broad audience. By bringing in a digital wayfinding solution, we can customize the experience for every user ABOUT YOUR CURRENT But Northeastern houses a very diverse audi- and in doing so, provide a richer experience for ence. Making only the broad information found everyone. LOCATION, INSTANTLY, on a map available would leave many people in the dark. ANYWHERE. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 29

THE CLOUD The database will be accessible and updatable via the web and will house many kinds of information and be updatable by different user types with different permissions. Beginning with map data and information about the physical campus, building the database will be the job of an IT team but after the initial infrastructure is added, administrators, faculty and select students will be able to populate content. From scheduling rooms and events to gathering news and historical information, the database will allow the Northeastern community to not only have a better grasp of current happeneings – it’ll actually help the campus to be more efﬁcient. 30 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

SCHEDULE EVENTS WITH EASE ON THE CAMPUS-WIDE DATABASE. Schedule it Scheduling an event on campus isn’t so easy right now. You have to submit forms, see different desks in different locations in different buildings. And then you wait. And somehow, there end up being conﬂicts anyways. Need audio or video? That’s another form in another building. With the new system, you just have to submit your information online to get instand feedback about what rooms are available to you based on criteria that you search by and your personal user permissions? Need to make sure your room has audio and video set up? Just check the box. And publish it, automatically Because everything is central, your event will automatically be added to live RSS news feeds, schedules and directories across campus. That means the myNEU portal, campus emails, digital signage, interactive kiosks and smart rooms signs will automatically be fed your information – getting your event in front of a larger audience. All just by scheduling it. Easy. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 31

WEBSITE The public website will be a place to get all of the information. Most simply, users will be able to search the interactive Google map for what they need to find. And since we’re redesigning the printed map to reflect other wayfinding-related changes on campus, you’ll see it here for continuity. But the website can be so much more. While searching the interactive campus map, you’ll be able to toggle on and off events, news, class schedules, building directories and more. The map becomes a tool to discover new things about North- eastern, and a valuable resource to make everyday activites simpler. And since it’s pertinent to every department at North- eastern, we’re envisinong a new global navigation system for all Northeastern websites. It’s non-intrusive visually and can be easily added to every site on the existing servers with just one file and a few lines of code in one place. 32 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

Map tool Different users will need different things from an online map. Using the ubiqui- tous Google Maps interface with custom navigation panels, users will quickly be able to access basic content while more content is readily available. Virtual tour guide Because so much information will be available with the new database and we don’t want (especially new) users to get overloaded, there will be “curated” tours of the content on the main maps page. These may involve “virtual admissions tours” for perspective students and parents, “historical Northeastern” tours that highlight interesting News and highlights from the University’s past and “in Bos- ton” events near campus that illustrate how Northeastern is tightly integrated with the city. A marketing tool for the university The map is one of the most highly visited portions of any university’s website. Why shouldn’t it be used to give more than physical information? Tightly integrating events schedules and news overlays into the map is an easy opportunity for North- eastern to reach a large audience. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 33

Curry Student C 4 Meeting rooms, SABO 3 Meeting rooms, scheduling 2 Roof deck terrace, Ballroom 1 Indoor quad, Art galleries G You are here M DIGITAL DISPLAYS C Ro Ma These displays add a number of contributions to not only wayfinding, but also scheduling and marketing. With minimal additional investments we can convert currently under-utilized screens on campus to work with this system. Or, for the overhead versions, lower cost and lower energy screens can be used since they are out of reach and won’t have to stand up to daily wear and tear. These displays are meant for high-traffic and at least partially indoors areas of campus. They are automatically updated from the central database and pull much of their content from already existing materials. These displays are constantly updated in real-time and con- tinuously change information with animations, keeping these locations dynamic outlets for news, schedules and important information. 34 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

These displays can be mounted alone (right), or combined in groups to make one big display (below, left). They can Today in Ryder... be mounted horizontally, vertically, or at 4 Digital Labs, classrooms whatever angle fits the location. 3 Music Dept. Office, Rehearsal space, classrooms 2 Art+Design Office, Photo Lab, Classrooms 1 Architecture Office 4 Digital Labs, classrooms 3 Music Dept. Office, Rehearsal space, classrooms Center 2 Art+Design Office, Photo Lab, Classrooms NEW & 1 Architecture Office NEWSWORTHY: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed vitae massa sollicitu- din velit congue viverra vel sit amet eros. Suspendisse pellentesque mattis tortor in varius. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per in- ceptos himenaeos. Nulla facilisi. On display now... 3 “Combination” Gallery 360 by Matt Rich, Marino Today’s Schedule at Marino Today’s Fitness Classes: (all locations) Other campus events www.neu.edu/events In the Curry Student Center, just across campus... Lecturer, Art+Design Center 6am-11pm Open Gym 2:30 2:30 Spinning, room 230 Marino Hot yoga, room 236 Marino 9:30 am 10:30 am Rabb Lecture, Raytheon Ampitheater, Egan 360 Gallery opening, Gallery 360, Curry Student Center 2pm-4pm Track closed for practice 3:00 Open court basketball, 2nd floor courts Marino 12:00 Music @ Noon series, 345 Ryder oger M. and Michelle S. arino Recreation Center 5pm-9pm Intramurals basketball league closed courts 3:00 3:30 4:00 Introductory weight lifting, 4th floor weight room, Squashbusters Sprint coaching, Cabot Cage, Cabot Center Spinning II, room 230, Squashbusters 1:00 3:30 6:00 IDEA open networking session, 011 Hayden Screening: Helvetica, 020 West Village F A+D Lecture series, 115 Shillman Art+Design Student Exhibit 2010 Third Floor March 24-April 20 4:30 Open yoga, room 330, Ell Hall (Spiritual center) 7:30 Open mic night, afterHOURS, Curry Student Center 5:30 Boot camp, room 310, Marino What’s this? This info is pulled fresh from the HUB and is updated constantly. A new COLORS BRANDING ENGAGING SCHEDULES event just got added? you’ll see it here instantly... For more information and a complete campus event schedule visit www.neu.edu/hub The digital displays will follow the same Because they can be updated from a Pull data from already existing sources overall design scheme as other physical central, online website – Northeastern to offer passersby a glimpse of all we Building info Today’s Schedule of events in Ryder Office Directory Art on Display Building Map 1:00 minute 3:00 (scrolling) :30 :30 1:30 elements on campus. The colors of the can keep their marketing content fresh have to offer, and engage more people to main type and other highlighting ele- and strengthen the brand by staying participate in something they might not ments will correspond to the zone color. consistent. have otherwise known we offered. BUILDING INFORMATION INCREASE ATTENDANCE NEWS Depending on the building, directory or Students and faculty alike don’t know Pulling headlines from existing sources other information can be displayed here. the breadth of events on campus – but on the web combined with compelling putting events out for everyone to see, imagery will liven up campus and let we’ll increase attendance and cut down more people know what goes on here. on the vinyl signs around campus. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 35

INTERACTIVE KIOSKS Not everybody always has access to mobile internet via phone or laptop, and even though campus is largely equipped with wi-fi, sometimes the information we want at our fingertips just isn’t available. These interactive kiosks placed around campus will be primar- ily wayfinding tools, although they will pull information from the same database as the other applications. Users will only be able to access information including maps, schedules and directories from a customized interface. Get directions cross campus, find the location for a specific event, or look up your professor’s office number. Beyond the scope of a static map, but you don’t necessarily have to take the information with you for it to be valuable. 36 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

INTERACTIVITY FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION You are here Schedule Directions The kiosks will default to a screen that shows the user A more limited program than the web or mobile version, You can click and drag the directionsl points around where they are currently, as well as list overall directory the kiosk still lets you search the schedule by time, key- campus for complete walking directions that’ll get you information for the current building, or show direction- word or location, but you cannot link to the same infor- right to the room you need. als to the nearest buildings. mation as on the website. This is in order to free them up for general use and to keep the interface simple. Interactive Campus Map Interactive Campus Map Interactive Campus Map You are at Snell Library. You are at Snell Library. You are at Snell Library. Directions Building List Directory Schedule Tour Directions Building List Directory Schedule Tour Directions Building List Directory Schedule Tour Click on any building on the Directions to admissions tours map, or any event below to see more information 1. From this kiosk, turn right and walk down stairs 2. Take left at pathway and follow red markers towards blue zone/forsyth 3. Cross Forsyth into blue zone 4. Cross Centennial Common following you are here blue markers to Leon Street you are here 5. Cross Leon street. Behrakis is the first building on your left. 9:00 General meeting, SGA 6. Enter Behrakis. Look for the second door on your left. 9:00 Yoga @ Spiritual Center your destination 9:00 Free Breakfast! 3 minute walk. 9:15 Tutorials at the cybercafe .25 miles 9:30 Jazz Brunch at Afterhours 9:50 Environmental Design open crit 10:00 IDEA networking event 10:20 Entrepreneurship Week - Opening 10:20 Interview the new Dean candidates GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 37 4 Digital Labs, classrooms 10:20 HIC lecture: Boloco 4 Digital Labs, classrooms 3 Music Dept. Office, Rehearsal space, classrooms 3 Music Dept. Office, Rehearsal space, classrooms

MOBILE APP Northeastern on the go. There are a bunch of moble mapping applications out there, including Northeastern’s iPhone app. That’s a great start, but combined with our new database, it could be even more powerful. Much the same as the normal site, users will be able to access maps, events, directories and see them all working together in one place. Using GPS, users can even get directions from their current location to where they need to go. And the directions won’t just stop at the front door to the building – users will be able to access step by step directions to the room they’re trying to ﬁnd. 38 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

ANSWERS WHEN YOU NEED THEM %DFN /LVW 'LUHFWLRQV 4P PLQXWHV ZDONLQJ 'LUHFWLRQV (YHQWV 5HVRXUFHV Events Calendar Detailed info Directions Using a custom calendar interface Navigate through multiple events on one Clicking on any event or map item will It’s easy to get directiosn from one point overlayed on top of the Google Map, us- day easily by swiping through the event bring you to a screen with more detiled to another on and off campus. The ers can easily search for events around information. information. custom display tells you your mileage campus. and travel options while still letting you switch easily between directions, events and resources. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 39

2D BARCODES Barcodes are simply a way of tagging things – the same as the UPC that you find on items at the grocery store. A barcode can be assigned to anything and reread by a special scanner. A “2D” barcode is just a different kind of encoding that can be read by a wider variety of devices, including many mobile phones. Northeastern can begin tagging items with barcodes which can be retrieved by these devices using the mobile app or website. The items – like room and building signage – then just need to be added to the system. The user may retrieve any info associated with that item. 2D Barcodes are being used in new and exciting ways. People are developing wayfind systems for the visually impaired, museums are using them to include more info about works of art and even phones are using digitally generated barcodes to give information to other phones. Northeastern could adopt all of these types of information gathering and sharing around campus – it’s as easy as apply- ing a sticker to a sign. 40 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

RICH INFORMATION, REAL-TIME Room signage Artworks Scanning a room sign could give you Northeastern frequently has artwork the current availability and schedule around campus apart from formal gallery of the room, and quickly link to more spaces. These barcodes are an opportu- information about any events or classes nity to provide more information about there thanks to the connectivity with the the art iteself, the artist, and why it’s database. You could also retrieve room appearing here at Northeastern. capacity and any special details about the room like audio visual and computer availability or food service availability. Menus/Dining Bardcodes could be placed outside of Navigational signage dining halls or in another central location by food courts to link to menus for Barcodes can be added to existing the day or other information about the campus signage outdoors as well as near space. In places like the dining halls, entrances of buildings and near common barcodes could even be used to find out Devices like the camera above are being spaces like restrooms, restaurants and how busy the dining hall is before ever developed to aid the visually impaired other services to add more information to stepping foot inside. in wayfinding. This device hooks up to the location and to be ready to imple- an iPod or an iPhone and is worn by the ment systems for the visually impaired. user. The camera scans for barcodes and sends the information from the codes to the user audibly via headphones. This Building signage particular device is still in testing – but Apart from the navigational uses, build- we expect a few similar devices to be ing signs could be encoded with infor- realeased later this year. mation about the program of the space, the floorplan, the building directory and maybe even historical facts about the building itself. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 41

3 Greeters BRIEF: The areas surrounding the T exit points are visitors’ ﬁrst impressions of campus, and should be developed to a level that represents the university and provides the user with a positive experience. SOLUTION: These two areas will be developed to reﬂect the Northeastern identity, provide a sense of physical orientation, and inform the visitor of the latest campus news and events. We propose to use these areas to open up campus as a resource and a portal, rather than a barrier to the surrounding neighborhoods. NARRATIVE: The lecturer arrives at Northeastern via the green line, and gets off at the Northeastern University stop. The BU student going to the hockey arrives at Northeast- ern via the orange line, and gets off at the Ruggles stop.

INFLUENCING INITIAL PERCEPTION: RUGGLES WALL “The most imposing barrier is the orange line of the T: Ruggles Station.” A Northeastern student Design guidelines for greeters: 1 4 6 These interventions must be seen as Since these nodes are “greeters” they will They should work with the Northeastern “greeters.” Their purpose is to welcome mainly target an audience that is new to identity but have a strong individual identity people coming onto the Northeastern Northeastern. that can be separated from the social spaces campus. and signs. 5 2 The fact that the users are now on the 7 They can have wayﬁnding devices, but not Northeastern Campus should be prevalent in They will have human scale. They should not the Northeastern map. They should point you the sign, i.e. the Northeastern name/seal be overwhelming or seem monumental. to the map or directional signs. should be on the sign and visible from far away. 3 Huntington will be optimized for drivers, and Ruggles will be optimized for pedestrians. 44 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

A pixilated landscape plays with the sense of perception. Up close, the image is abstracted into squares of color. It is only fully revealed when seen from a distance. Seeing the inside of Ruggles from the outside reinforces the notion that the station is a center of energy and community – a portal, rather than a barrier against what lies behind. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 45

A B A Freshman Housing HUNTINGTON + Implementing super graphics on the building B Freshman Housing Using Northeastern’s colors can help better FORSYTH can help emphasize the university culture and aid in wayﬁnding. identify the area and indicate to users that they are still on campus. 46 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

C D E F C Cabot D Flame of Hope E Towers F Using the Seal Windows will open up With the fence removed Simple towers will aid in Utilizing a painted seal on Cabot to pedestrians the “Flame of Hope” area finding directional signage the sidewalk is a strong allowing them to look in can be opened into a in campus. It is a solution indicator of a major and see the activities going sitting area for students to wayfinding without entrance to campus. on. The colors will aid to eat Chicken Lou’s and using a campus map. drivers in know when they watch the passersby. are on campus. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 47

B A C D 48 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

RUGGLES + FORSYTH A Fence Removal B Egan Green Roof C Where am I? Northeastern spends To soften the blunt Instead of physically large amounts of money massing of the Egan labeling everything, the on landscaping, so why Research Center and use of colors can remind hide it behind obtrusive to suggest the green visitors where they are fencing? By removing initiatives of Northeastern. without being to obtrusive them, the campus will Greenery will benefit both to the eye. have a more open and the terrace users as well E comfortable feel. as pedestrians. D Curb Demarcation E The Ruggles Facade Curbs are everywhere By simply adding and are under-utilized. another layer of more They can serve another contemporary materials, purpose by becoming part the “Ruggles Wall” can be of a wayfinding system. transformed to become Different zones of campus visually connected to can be marked with color the adjacent university or labels. buildings. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 49

A B A Trafﬁc Flow B Directional Signage RUGGLES During rush hour, trying to cross through Ruggles The Northeastern Campus is divided by Ruggles INTERIOR Station seems impossible. By clearly marking which stairs to take, the Station and thus requires navigational elements establishing which side of experience can become the station you are exiting. less congested. 50 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

C D C Railing Flags D This Way RUGGLES + Why should a railing, only be a railing? By serving a The Northeastern Campus is divided by Ruggles INTERNATIONAL dual purpose, railings can become important through color or other navigational Station. Navigational elements can be utilized on stair risers to direct VILLAGE means. visitors to important landmarks. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 51

4 Boundaries BRIEF: Northeastern’s current master plan aims to “open campus up as a resource and as a portal, not a barrier to the surrounding neighborhoods.” The administration has exhibited this intention through the existing flags along Columbus Avenue and parts of Huntington Avenue. However, these elements have little relation to their context. The goal is to retain Northeastern’s identity as a university, while effectively integrating the campus into the surrounding communities. SOLUTION: We propose the extension of these flags along all of Huntington, parts of Tremont, Ruggles Street, and Huntington; reaching out to all surrounding neighborhoods. The flags will also display content relating to the neighborhood in which they are located. Alternating banners inform pedestrian and vehicular traffic of their current location. NARRATIVE: The Northeastern parent is coming to campus as she drives down Columbus Avenue which runs along Northeastern’s Roxbury edge.

1 ESTABLISH A FIELD NEW BANNERS 2 MARK A LOCATION 3 INTEGRATE THE SYSTEM Do you feel Northeastern blends with the community/ its surroundings? “I think the university definitely blends into the community. The only thing that actually lets you know you are on campus are the flags that say Northeastern.” Northeastern Student GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 53

1 Back Bay Fens FENWAY ESTABLISH A FIELD Begin to intergrate neighborhood banners into the ﬁeld of Northeastern banners so that they become a meeting area instead of a dividing line 1900 FENWAY EXISTING BANNERS 54 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

Roxbury Town ROXBURY Hall 1630 ROXBURY GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 55

2 SYMPHONY MARK A LOCATION MFA Begin to recognize neighborhood cultural centers such as museums and concert halls with the banners while always tying the image back to Northeastern 56 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

3 INTEGRATE THE SYSTEM Begin to tie the banners on the campus interior, which are also used for identity purposes, into the established wayﬁnding and zoning system GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 57

5 Social Spaces BRIEF: Northeastern’s public spaces are under- served as areas for social interation and community activity. SOLUTION: Creating social spaces that intersect with common travel routes will allow for greater interaction to happen. This will ultimately lead to public spaces becoming established landmarks and meeting places, where people go to socialize. NARRATIVE: The BU student is walking towards Matthews Arena when he gets to the library quad and realizes he has some time to kill before the game begins. He stops to relax a bit and check the map to orient himself. The parent is walking towards the art gallery when she gets to the library quad and realizes she has no idea what building it is actually located in. She stops to check a map and the BU student is able to help point her in the right direction.

5 STUDENTS HAVE COMFORT ZONES. 8 2 3 Students spend most of their time where their classes 7 4 6 are located. While at first glance, placement of buildings and programs on campus may seem hap- 1 hazard, it is in fact strategic. The university groups similar programs together (like housing, academic programs, and student services) which provides the opportunity to program the outdoor spaces surrounding these areas with activities relating to the buildings’ functions. This is where specific identity comes into the system. Social spaces are located in outdoor areas that have the potential to be successful areas of congrega- 9 tion and/or activity. 60 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

KIOSKS CREATE 1 CENTENNIAL COMMON 2 KRENTZMAN QUAD 3 MATTHEWS ARENA A NETWORK Located in High traffic social 4 SCIENCE QUAD 5 FRESHMAN QUAD 6 LIBRARY QUAD spaces, these kiosks allow for interaction to happen between users, creating a network for social wayfinding. Where one user is an expert another might be a novice. By putting navigation in social spaces we allow informed users to help those who are not so familiar. This model also fa- 7 WEST VILLAGE 8 LAW SCHOOL QUAD 9 INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE cilitates repeated use of space because users find social interaction fulfiling. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 61

SHADED SEATING AREA BENCHES WITH POWER OUTLETS GROUP MEETING PASSIVE AREA RECREATION LIGHT ACTIVE RECREATION 6 SNELL LIBRARY QUAD 62 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

GROUP EVENTS AND MEETING PROMOTION TABLE AREA COOKOUT AREA PASSIVE RECREATION ORIENTATION GROUP GATHERING PLACE GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 63

6 Columbus Connection BRIEF: The Columbus Parking Lot is an imposing barrier that prevents a direct route from Columbus Avenue to the Ruggles Station stairway. SOLUTION: By restructuring the parking lot a direct route can be cut across in two directions, allowing pedestrian trafﬁc to move through the parking lot without walking through rows of cars. NARRATIVE: The northeastern student going to the lecture crosses over from where she lives in the Columbus Avenue dormitories and crosses the columbus parking lot through the pathway

NORTHEASTERN PART B MAIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS INTERSTITIAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE ZONE COLUMBUS GARAGE PART A B A INTERSTITIAL ZONE COLUMBUS LOT GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 65

SHARING THE SPACE 1 SECTION THROUGH PEDESTRIAN PATH CURRENT ARRANGEMENT NEW ARRANGEMENT (466 SPACES) (475 SPACES) In the Columbus Parking Lot there are two Visually this will also help to break up major pedestrian pathways used by students, the view that is created by row after row faculty, and guests. The intervention takes of cars. The new parking plan will also advantage of pre-existing, but undefined accommodate 11 more parking spaces into paths across the lot that will allow for pedes- the lot. trian flow along a direct route with vehicle traffic running parallel. Physically this offers the user a faster, safer, and more convenient way across the lot. 66 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

RUGGLES STATION MBTA ORANGE LINE 1 RENAISSANCE COLUMBUS CARTER GARAGE GARAGE PLAYGROUND 2 3 COLUMBUS AVENUE COLUMBUS PARKING LOT Columbus wall The whole of columbus avenue was viewed With this in mind the wall intervention as a significant entrance onto campus with serves to clearly define the columbus lot several destinations around it that are used and serve as a wayfinding element to aid by students, faculty, and guests. in the campus’ presence along Columbus Avenue. 2 3 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 67

Columbus Garage BRIEF: The pedestrian footpath through the Columbus Garage is the fastest route from the President’s office, administrative buildings and student dormitories on Columbus Avenue, to Northeastern’s main campus. For such a high traffic route the Columbus Garage does not help to extend Northeastern’s aesthetic identity and value to its users. SOLUTION: While it is ineffective to redirect the flow of traffic around the parking garage, it is possible to make the route through the garage more prominent for new users and visually dis- tinguished for the everyday user. NARRATIVE: The parent has successfully found the Columbus Garage and is now on her way to the Gallery 360, but she has many hurdles to face. The first, is to navigate the garage and cross over the Orange Line to get to Northeastern’s main campus.

THE COLUMBUS NORTHEASTERN MAIN CONNECTION CAMPUS CONTINUED PART A B INTERSTITIAL A ZONE COLUMBUS LOT PART B NORTHEASTERN INTERSTITIAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE ZONE COLUMBUS GARAGE GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 69

N LEVEL ONE 3 LIGHTING 2 TO COLUMBUS AVE. Columbus Place Student Residences TO CAMPUS Curry Student Center Snell Library THE Carter Playground Squashbusters Blackman Auditorium Green Line T WAY 1 LEVEL ONE TO COLUMBUS AVE. TO CAMPUS Columbus Place Curry Student Center Student Residences Snell Library Carter Playground Blackman Auditorium Squashbusters Green Line T EXIT TO COLUMBUS AVE. N-S Section 1 1 2 795 2 W-E Section 70 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

EXIT TO BRIDGE VIEW TO CAMPUS 3 N-S Section Continued 3 Visualizing the Path The Columbus Garage intervention serves to path. Lighting the pedestrian walkway helps create a visible pathway through the garage to redirect the focus of the space away from using lights. The parking garage has an the vehicle. Establishing a clear footpath existing crosswalk painted on the ground makes the garage easier to navigate and that links its entrance at Columbus Avenue friendlier for the everyday user. to the bridge over the MBTA. The new path uses this as a guide but instead of painting Along the path there is a wall used to call the path on the ground, it calls for a series of out the level of the garage, we see this as an colored lights secured within the formwork of opportunity to do more; To use it as a graphic the concrete in the ceiling to demarcate the element that calls out important locations on both sides of campus, (along columbus and on the main campus). GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 71

Tunnels 7 BRIEF: There is a system of tunnels that connects thirteen of the university’s core academic and administrative buildings. During times of inclement weather this network can be vital to getting around campus. Unfortunately the tunnels go largely unused because the majority of potential users ﬁnd them confusing and disorienting. SOLUTION: Using a color code in the map that could then extend into the colors of the materials within the tunnels would help to orient people. Large colored infographics could be used to direct people. A system similar to this could also be applied to another prob- lematic locations on campus: the Nightingale/ Lake/Meserve/Holmes complex NARRATIVE: A student in Dodge Hall needs to get to the Gallery 360 when it starts to rain. She is unfamiliar with the tunnel system but she is also wearing very expensive shoes. She decides to take the tunnels.

KEEP THOSE SOCKS DRY Huntington Avenue YOU ARE IN Take the Tunnels Curry Student Center Getting around campus in “Boston weather” has never been easier. By color-coding the Take to Ell Hall Richards Dodge tunnels there is a system that the user can learn and easily adopt which will prompt repeat visits. Cabot The tunnels themselves are coded in order DIRECTION to identify where you are. The super graphics Street The tunnel system can be accessed at the ground on the walls then instruct the user on which ﬂoor or basement level of the buildings shown direction they should go depending on what Hayden Mugar building is their destination. Forsyth Tunnel system entrances directly accessed from outdoors are designated by a Forsyth Building Wheelchair access to the tunnel system is desig- Color coding and more map placement will Curry Student nated by a hopefully increase the use of the tunnels Center Additionally, each building on the tunnel system and ease people’s fears of disorientation and Snell Engineering may be accessed by that building’s elevator getting lost. Snell Library Egan Research GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 73

FORSYTH STREET 74 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

8 Sharing Space BRIEF: Forsyth Street functions as a central artery to campus, connecting Huntington Ave. at the Green Line to Columbus Ave at the Orange Line. Because this route is utilized by pedestrians, bikes, buses, and cars the goal was to find a solution that balanced all these uses SOLUTION: Share the space. While it is impossible to make Forsyth a pedestrian only area, it is possible to reprogram the environment. By extending pedestrian space and slowing down traffic the street can become a comfortable zone to better handle multiple modes of transportation. NARRATIVE: The lecturer has gotten off the T and is making his way down Forsyth where he will need to check a map for the specific location of the building he is looking for.

FORSYTH A real main street Forsyth needs a change in character. Between Huntington and Ruggles Station, Forsyth is the major path for pedestrians, bikes, and cars, so all three have to be taken into account. 1 2 BEFORE AFTER A MODEL FOR MULTI-PURPOSE TRANSPORTATION SPACE 76 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

MATERIALS 1 2 STREET LIGHTS PUBLIC SEATING RED BRICK HERRINGBONE BRICK By raising the street to sidewalk level Landscaping down the street would help The cul-de-sac at the end of the street and changing the paving. The sidewalks to tie the path together making Forsyth is now smaller without the grass island. would be made of brick to read as an into a clear demarcation in the environ- Instead, the sidewalks are now wider and extension of the pedestrian network on ment and a more pleasant experience for the bus stop was moved to the beginning campus. The actual street would be of all users. of the cul de sac to alleviate the pedes- a related material, such as herringbone trian trafﬁc jam out of Ruggles Station brick, that would relate the path to the that currently takes place. sidewalk while at the same time calling it out as a separate network. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 77

9 Northeastern Avenue BRIEF: Although Northeastern is mainly comprised of informal paths, each route pertains to the underlying network that connects to the main path frequented by students, faculty, and visitors. According to several studies and interviews, a large portion of this route is often referred to as “the winding path to the library.” It is necessary to name and distinguish this prominent path on campus, seeing as it is a primary route for all user types. GOAL: To encourage Northeastern’s history, culture, and self-image in a visual and interactive way. Through this, new points of interest will be created and new frames of reference will be available to aid in wayﬁnding. NARRATIVE: On his way to the hockey game, the BU student walks down the path and notices plaques on the ground.

GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 79

Northeastern was founded in 1898. Its roots hark back to the Boston YMCA as it grew to offer a variety of programs. As a college in Boston, Northeastern is interdisciplinary and transitional research, A set of guidelines can be established in competition with many other major intellectual life and creative expression, and and designed with variations for each universities. Most of these schools maintain urban engagement.” particular path in order to maintain a a well-established identity within the cohesive network, while at the same time community. Northeastern has a history and Northeastern should boost its image and distinguishing between each. The existing identity that is virtually unknown to students, make its identity known. This requires brick on the sidewalks is easily removable let alone Boston at large. landmarks and guides. Aside from the issue and replaceable, therefore providing an of wayﬁnding itself, the project provides a opportunity to call out important areas. The school prides itself on being a “student- sense of longevity and community to the centered, practice-oriented, urban” university school that is appealing to prospective that supports “experiential learning, students, parents, and alumni. 80 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

THE WINDING PATH or NORTHEASTERN AVENUE GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 81

= A COMPLETE SYSTEM FOR SPATIAL ORIENTATION 82 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding

ZONES GREETERS SOCIAL SPACES SIGNAGE/KIOSKS Provide physical orientation, link be- Welcome visitors to campus, and provide provides physical orientation, link be- direct visitors along paths tween map and physical environment orientation. tween map and physical environment BOUNDARIES FORSYTH COLUMBUS CONNECTION let visitors know that they are on cam- create a pedestrian environment in cam- bridge the orange line barrier A.07 pus, while creating edges that blend into pus’s existing N-S connection A.03 C B.06 surrounding context A.04 A.01 C A.06 B.08 B.01 B.03 B.05 A2.01 B.07 THE WINDING PATH / B.02 A2.02 NORTHEAEERN AVENUE C B.04 C A2.03 clariﬁes an already prominent East to A.05 C West path across campus A.02 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayﬁnding 83

The suggestions presented here represent the intimate understanding that we have of the campus and our community’s interaction with it. After a semester’s worth of intensive research and brainstorming we are invested in these ideas and believe in the power of wayﬁnding efforts to positively transform Northeastern. We hope you consider this research as you move forward with your formal wayﬁnding efforts. We as students, faculty and soon-to-be-alumni would welcome the opportunity to make these suggestions come to fruition.

A special thank you to – School of Architecture Department of Art + Design Creative Industries Marketing and Communications And all of our guest critics

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