Guidance systems are not simply signs...
on the complexity of barrier-free orientation

The Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, with its headquarters in Düsseldorf, moved in September 2021. This means that the ministry, with more than 500 employees, has moved closer to the city centre. The new location is the former corporate headquarters of the energy supplier E.ON, which was planned and realised by the architect Oswald Mathias Ungers in 2000.

As a building accessible to the public, general accessibility according to DIN 18040 Part 1 must be created. On the basis of an already existing barrier-free concept by the WiA office, Elisabeth Schneider-Grauvogel of WiA | barrierefreier Lebensraum and Michaela Henkys of meurer art were commissioned by Fox Projekt GmbH to design a guidance and orientation system. In close cooperation with the planners, it was then implemented by the guidance system specialist meng.

Briefing | In numerous workshops with the client, planners, users and representatives of the severely disabled, information and expectations were communicated, and tasks, schedules and deadlines were defined. In the process, the ministry consciously decided on a higher quota of severely disabled persons and fills 10% of all jobs with severely disabled employees. The legislator only stipulates 5% for more than 20 employees, whose personal workspaces have to be re-equipped and equipped according to the individual needs of use and the respective disability. In addition, the Ministry's goal was to implement a barrier-free standard according to the "design for all" idea. In practice, this means, among other things, implementing signage in easily legible, high-contrast lettering in order to create added value for everyone.

Analysis | An analysis of the existing building was also carried out with regard to accessibility by public transport, car, bicycle or as a pedestrian. The complex building consists of a 9-storey tower with a semi-circular ground plan and a 4-storey office wing. Both are connected by a glazed atrium. The façade design in the interior and exterior shows a consistent formal language with squares of light and porous travertine (limestone). The realisation in the existing building required pragmatic solutions with the aim of implementing them in a sustainable, cost-saving and resource-saving way.

Concept | In the conception of the guidance system, colours and materials were selected to match the value of the existing building. Unger's design language was reflected in the new signage with square door signs made of 6 mm acrylic. Destinations and locations were specified. Permanent markings were made in Braille and pyramid lettering. Many signposts were to cover existing signs in order to use what was already there and to save costs. This was also achieved with 600 quintessenz door signs, which had to conceal recesses in wooden doors so that they could be retained. In keeping with the ministry's corporate design, the lettering "umwelt.nrw" was created as a striking short form of the ministry's name. The signage system was planned with consistent colours and minimum font sizes to ensure optimal and high-contrast legibility according to DIN 32975. Anthracite was chosen for the surface and white for the labelling. The use of fixed recurring terms such as car park instead of underground car park or restaurant instead of canteen were defined and consistently implemented in the signage. A simple and, above all, uniform language is used for barrier-free orientation. The variable room identification for employees was designed according to a defined layout.

Production and installation | All signage system elements were produced in close and intensive coordination between meurer art and meng, and were optimised down to the last detail. The meng team assembled in the building with localised plans. In cooperation with the planner, the fine-tuning of the placement and the handling of exceptions took place.

Elements of the guidance system | Next to the main entrance is a triangular stele, approx. 3 m high and visible from afar. The focus here was on the legibility of various access routes to the main entrance. The original stele was revised and placed at the entrance to the multi-storey car park. As part of the barrier-free signposting, a 600 x 1,800 mm desk in the foyer provides information. It shows a tactile building plan and information in Braille and pyramid letters for orientation on the two floors accessible to the public. Above the reception desk, the lettering "umwelt.nrw" is presented in 3D letters made of aluminium composite material. Vertically arranged, raised room names provide high-contrast orientation within the spacious architecture. Three-dimensional floor numbers were also used for floor and lift identification. There were a multitude of possible applications for foil lettering. Matt glossy large-format lettering in cursive script gives the meeting rooms on the 9th floor, i.e. the highest level, a highlighted design and conveys lightness. Foil pictograms provide information and blocks of 3 stripes serve as passage protection everywhere on glass surfaces.

The guidance system with its diverse, formally different elements blends in harmoniously with Unger's architecture thanks to a uniformly consistent implementation and design and guides its users intuitively to their destination.