THU Ulm impresses with clearly defined signage

Developed by Braun Engels Gestaltung from Ulm, the guidance and orientation system of the new replacement building at the Technical University will connect campus areas of different architectural eras in the future. In the process, the concerns of monument preservation had to be taken into account with foresight. The appearance is based on the colours blue and dark grey, which are part of the university's corporate design. The resulting signage is clear and reduced and has striking aesthetics. It integrates perfectly within the architecture.

In the interior guidance system, all wall-mounted information carriers were split into individual, content-structured modules. Each information unit is located on its own panel. For floor overviews, this means that each level is shown separately. The floor numbers were attached directly to the substrate as milled elements - detached from the panels. 

Dark grey information carriers refer to the respective stand or location, blue information carriers refer to more distant destinations, such as further levels. This type of graphic implementation improves the intuitive comprehensibility of the guidance system. Since many destination designations are internationally understandable, language variants were not used.

Particularly interesting guidance system elements are the milled pictograms that mark special destinations in the corridors, such as toilets and meeting rooms, as flag signposts.

The exterior guidance system is dominated by monolithic pillars from the quintessenz signage system. Visible screw connections and joints were avoided as far as possible. A square surface made of prefixed aluminium in the upper area of the steles is inscribed with the university's logo. Realised by meng, all the guidance system elements score points in terms of material appearance and workmanship.

A special highlight is a 7 m long and 2.80 m high lettering consisting of the individual letters THU. This points out the location of the university from afar. The brand was placed in such a way that it also catches the eye of passing motor traffic and public transport. The front and back of the lettering was made of brushed stainless steel. The acrylic glass frames of the letters allow for attractive illumination of the lettering at dusk.