FAC FOUND
OVERVIEW Drake’s Harmon Fine Arts Center is notoriously hard to navigate. The existing way-finding system is extremely minimal. It consists of maps in the first floor stairwells and a numbering system. There is one free-standing exterior sign. None of the existing signage reflects changes in use or purpose. We propose an overhaul of HFAC’s navigational system. Starting with new maps, and adding many new signs and tools, visitors, students, and faculty will feel confident navigating the building.
unnecessary information
MAPS classroom has been added overwhelming
The current maps in Harmon Fine Arts Center are architectural plans. They have not been altered since the building was originally constructed. These maps do not reflect changes in rooms’ purposes. They also do nothing to aid navigation.
current uses for rooms. We have eliminated all parts of the original maps that were not of use to daily visitors, such as maitenence areas. We have also renumbered the rooms on each floor to reflect a more universal system
We propose updating the maps to better reflect purpose and to aid users more effectively. Our maps are color coded by purpose. They reflect
The maps would be placed at the North and South entrances and at the base of each stairwell.
3
rd
FLOOR art/design 331
323
theater
325 - 329
music
faculty/administrative
332 322
N
334
320
305 - 315
335
303
316 318
301
music practice 3a - 3m
302
307
309
311
321 303 319
305
318
STUDIO 55
316
303 301
BASEMENT
MONROE RECITAL HALL 314
312a
304 - 310
302a - d
312b
1st
FLOOR
NORTH LOBBY
PERFORMING ARTS HALL
SOUTH LOBBY TICKETS ANDERSON GALLERY
TURNER JAZZ CENTER
THEATER, ART, & DESIGN
257
b a
c b a
d
e
259 ARTS & SCIENCES
a
b
257 f
DEPT. OF MUSIC
255 PERFORMING ARTS HALL
FLOOR
245 - 253
261 - 265
2nd
244 - 256
258 - 262
259
UPPER LOBBY WEEKS GALLERY 203 - 241 201 SCHLOSS LOUNGE
music practice 2a - 2w
4th
FLOOR
405 - 423 425
403
401
404
402
424 music practice 4a - 4j
406 - 412
EXTERIOR
The exterior of HFAC has only one freestanding sign, which indicates the South entrance. This is not helpful to users, as it may be more convenient for them to use a different entrance. The South entrance sign does nothing to indicate special locations in the building, like the Turner Jazz Center or the Anderson Gallery.
We propose adding three more freestanding signs, one on the northeast corner of the building to indicate the North entrance, one on the northwest corner to indicate the Turner Jazz Center, and one on the southwest side to indicate the Anderson Gallery.
3D SIGNS
People like to know where they are going. In HFAC’s long hallways, this is almost impossible. We propose adding perpendicular signs that would stick out perpendicularly from the wall to indicate rest rooms, stairs,
and directories. Here, they point visitors toward the basement rest rooms. The signs are very simple, not overwhelming visitors. They are just enough to let them know where they are headed.
STAIRS
Currently, the only signs in the stairwells indicate the floor number. HFAC is a large building, and once you reach your desired floor, there is no guarantee you will know where you are or where you are going.
We propose adding more full-service signs. They list points of interest on the floor, as well as a map indicating where visitors are.
2nd
FLOOR -
THEATER, ART, & DESIGN
weeks gallery college of arts and sciences department of music departments of art, theater, & design
259 ARTS & SCIENCES
DEPT. OF MUSIC
PERFORMING ARTS HALL
UPPER LOBBY WEEKS GALLERY
MID-FLOOR
From end to end, the hallways of HFAC are long and empty of navigational help. To calm uneasiness of lost visitors, we propose adding mid-floor directories. These signs would point the way to certain room numbers and areas of interest.
2nd FLOOR DIRECTORY
rooms 241 - 201 arts & sciences office art office department of music
PLACEMENT
new exterior signs Signs will be placed consistently throughout the floors. Here, we have laid out two maps of example sign placement.
maps/stairwell signs 3D signs directories