The document discusses redesigning the wayfinding system at Northeastern University. It begins by outlining the research process, which included discipline-based knowledge gathering, human-centered research, and synthesis. Key insights from the research included the importance of boundaries, orientation, consistency, and pathmaking for users. The solution proposes dividing the campus into color-coded zones for navigation. It also redesigns the campus map with a grid layout, color-coded zones, and landmark buildings labeled for reference. The new map orients the campus with major paths running horizontally and vertically and expands to show surrounding Boston landmarks for additional context.

1. GdAM
GETTING
THERE
GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 1

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 sys-
tems that are professional and reflect the
University’s brand should be considered.
GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 7

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 12 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

13. 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 interac-
tive 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.

14. TYPOGRAPHY
ITC New Baskerville and
Helvetica are the official
fonts of the University.
()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@A
Helvetica Neue serves
as an informative and
HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_`a
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[]^_`ab
materials that require a
more formal presentation.
!
New Baskerville Roman
)*+,-./0123456789:;=?@AB
IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[]^_`ab
!
New Baskerville Italic
14 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 2
A smart campus
Ac
wo
Ho
ing
pla
cla
BRIEF: Northeastern needs to modernize their wayfinding sys-
tems 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.

29. 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

30. 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 com-
munity 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

31. 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 informa-
tion – getting your event in front of a
larger audience.
All just by scheduling it. Easy.
GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 31

32. WEBSITE
The public website will be a place to get all of the informa-
tion. Most simply, users will be able to search the interac-
tive 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

33. 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 par-
ents, “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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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, mu-
seums 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

41. 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 loca-
tion 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

42. 42 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

43. 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 bar-
rier 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.

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. B
A C D
48 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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 con-
text. 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.

53. 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

54. 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

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

56. 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 im-
age back to Northeastern
56 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

57. 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

58. 58 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

59. 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 interac-
tion to happen. This will ultimately lead to public
spaces becoming established landmarks and meet-
ing 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.

60. 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 univer-
sity 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

61. 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

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

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

64. 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

65. 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

66. 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

67. 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

68. 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.

69. 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

70. 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

71. 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

72. 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 ma-
terials 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.

73. 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

74. FORSYTH
STREET
74 GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding

75. 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 pe-
destrian 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.

76. FORSYTH
A real main street
Forsyth needs a change in character.
Between Huntington and Ruggles
Station, Forsyth is the major path for pedes-
trians, 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

77. 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

78. 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.

79. GdAM Environmental Design + Wayfinding 79

80. 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

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

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

83. 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

85. 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.

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