ASSESSMENT OF WAYFINDING DESIGN IN COMPLEX BUILDINGS

Abstract

Finding one's way in spatial environments is essential for survival and requires a wide range of cognitive abilities. Wayfinding has been an essential criteria that assess the functional performance of the setting especially complex buildings with multiple functions such as: hospitals, shopping centers, airports, libraries…etc. also it assess the behavior performance of the users as it act as a safety tool especially during emergency. It is considered a main element in the early design phase, as the complexity of design idea increase the ability to lose the path within the building increase and leads to taking decisions depending on wrong information. To located a certain destination it depends on specific information such as, hearing information, signage, spatial organization and type of circulation system within the building. The spatial configuration of a setting consists of vertical and horizontal paths that plays an important role in the building complexity and reaching different spaces. This research includes both theoretical and practical application on wayfinding by exploring the design of a complex multifunctional library, the study required field survey to detect different spaces, and comparing the existing functions with the design plans and users mental maps, beside taking photos for the spaces and signage used and finally field questionnaire took place on a sample of users to detect all problems faced within the setting and in order to know their impression and opinion towards the wayfinding in general and how it affects their orientation within the setting. The results were compared with stimulations to detect the best movement and measure the internal integration and visual connectivity by space syntax tool to identify the better wayfinding and signage locations. And finally the results were presented and analyzed to assess the building wayfinding, in addition proposing a solution faced within the setting depending on users point of view and latest technologies.