Way Finding: Building Features

As part of our group research we went around the university, taking pictures and highlighting the key features of the existing building. Analysing what works and what doesn't and how it can be manipulated and changed. 

 First impressions of the building, is definitely not an arts university, more of an engineering or academic university, due to the lack of colour, artwork and contemporary build and materials.

 Quite a lot of the aspects of the building are mundane, boring and do not represent the qualities or personality of the university or the students within it.

 The different mixes of materials works as it shows the range of materials and media used within art and across the different courses, however it could definitely be done in a more modern and contemporary way, which looks purposefully done, rather than all over the place. 

 The building looks very industrial and doesn't really allow for change or artisitc flair or personality to be shown through the building. 

In many of the studios large windows allow lots of natural light into the rooms. Also, there’s quite a mix of interesting shapes and sizes of windows throughout the college. The building is quite complex and has evolved over time, meaning it can be difficult to find your way around initially and that there’s an inconsistent layout around the university.Throughout the university there is an eclectic mix of lighting from wall mounted lights to hanging ceiling lights with reflective metal.

Plants are heavily used in Printed textiles however not so much around the rest of the building.There is exposed pipes, vents and other structural elements everywhere in the building particularly on the ceiling.

Common materials around the college include foil (from the extraction system), metal (stainless steel, galvanised sheet metal, reflective metal), plasterboard (on walls).The main colours around the building are grey (doors and lines on walls) and white (walls in studios) and blue (shade used on doors).

• Large Windows
• Mix of materials, such as metal, tiles, wood and glass. 
• Mix of different types of lighting.
• Strip lighting, hanging descending lighting, neon lighting. 
• Lots of white around the building, blank canvas. 
• The plants in printed textiles, everyone is a fan of these and the space in printed textiles and why can't the rest of the university and studios look like that. 
• Mix of colours, turquoise, pink, yellow and dark blue, purple, silver. 
• Different textures and materials. 

Way Finding: Existing Way Finding

The existing way finding is very grey, dull and mundane, it doesn't encourage people to use it, in fact it's very off putting. 

There is too much of a mix as well, there is the original way finding which has been aded onto overtime, but it's all different compared to each other and doesn't look like a cohesive way finding system.  

There's vinyl, signs, clear plastic, white and grey signs.

The initial first way finding signs is very over complicated and the numbers and letters do not match up either. 

All of the wayfinding is set on grey plaques.
The wayfinding for multiple levels is all shown together however the list of places are quite long.
Individual rooms have labels for them, however they can vary in size and shape and colour (white or grey). Some also have plastic bits where paper can be slotted in.
Some courses such as photography have large scale vinyl lettering on walls.
Vinyl arrows are used within the building in different forms e.g. long armed arrows and sequences of arrow tips.

Way-Finding: New Build Images

Looking at the new build images, the mix of building materials has been kept but applied in a more contemporary style, using different metals, and textures, even just within the outside and entrance of the building. 

 The different styles of lighting has been kept, however maybe just one consistent style throughout would work best, and making the most out of natural lighting, especially so in studios. 

It looks like they are going to apply more wall art and icons using imagery on the walls. 

The golden materials on the outside of the building and the pattern on this is very reminiscent of the arts and craft movement, playing on the history of the university, and tying in with the Vernon street building. 

Common colours within the building are metallic gold.

The new building continues the use of suspended lighting (LED strip lighting etc) which is necessary because of the high ceilings within many of the rooms.
Sky lights will also be a feature allowing natural light to enter the building.  
Common materials within the new building are concrete (flooring in galleries etc and ceilings and surfaces), anodised golden metal (with details for external walls), grey carpet tiles, timber surfaces, wood wool (acoustic baffles), steel, plasterboard, aluminium (trims), galvanised (pipes).  
Other interesting features suggested in plans magnetised paint on the walls (grey in colour), large scale wall art, hanging art, spray painted timber (to match gold of building).

• Sky Lights
• Large windows.
• Strip lighting and suspended ceiling lighting.
• Wall art.
• Golden anodised metals.
• Mix of materials.