i8 | in-house dialogue Starting the conversation Wayfinding is the design of navigational behavior, and combines a broad range of disciplines. As part of a multi-disciplinary consultancy par excellence, the EGD unit seeks to make the most of its relationships among the different trades and works in concert with them to create a harmonious communication system within the built environment. Architecture Architecture forms the environment within which EGD is then applied. As such, architecture is the foundation for a good wayfinding system. EGD practitioners team up with the Architecture Department to first understand the site’s unique attributes. These include the project’s environment, architecture and circulation needs. Some spaces such as hospitals, airports and universities have operational processes with many types of users. Others such as residential buildings have a more limited set of users. Thus, architectural plans and project briefs allow EGD designers to analyze the internal and external spaces and come up with a strategy for developing a branded environment and wayfinding solutions. Interior Design Color, texture, lighting, and furnishings all coexist in an interior space. These create different moods upon which the visual aspect of the signage and graphic system should be based. Wall finishing and height, in turn, dictate the range of materials as well as the most suitable installation systems. EGD designers seek a perfect balance and work effortlessly to create a seamless experience within the interior environment. The environmental branding creates an experience through all the senses, visually and texturally, and enhances the general mood by being an informative component. Transportation The satisfaction and comfort of the users are crucial to the success of any project. And what the users of a project often care about is reaching a destination with minimal complication, and making their way around it with ease. The EGD team coordinates with the Transportation team to single out the various points of access to and from an area, as well as circulation within it. EGD experts will define decision points and organize the different zones with the help of exterior signs. In a parking area, for example, the EGD team will study how users can reach the elevator lobby in a building with minimal circulation. Landscape Design Pedestrians form a visual bond with their environment. Therefore, the Landscape Architecture and EGD teams work in tandem to provide the smoothest and most visible circulation possible. Together, they link key destinations in a systematic way, improving a person’s outdoor navigational experience. 52