Healthcare Design - November 2016 - 100

The new main lobby

100

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NOVEMBER 2016

As elements of this scale were completed, new
wayfinding logic was introduced in phases and
required integration into the existing wayfinding scheme.
MMC had invested heavily in the legacy wayfinding system that included three linear zones
that were described with names, colors, and the
elevator icons of Capitol, Lincoln, and Garden.
Each zone was supported with interior design
color ways that included finishes and artwork:
For instance, the green Garden Zone included
artwork that primarily used green tones and
garden themes, and the Garden icon had been
integrated into terrazzo flooring. Each zone appeared on each building level, and departments
were identified by the zone they occupied. In
order to save costs and reduce internal interruptions, it was important to retain this basic
organization.
Since elevators serve as landmarks for orientation and are used for circulation, the
updated logic eliminated the zones and centered on elevator cores only. Rather than being located in a zone, interior destinations
are identified as located near a particular elevator, easier to identify and remember. The
elevators retained the original icons, adding
an international symbol for elevator, and used
brighter colors for better distance viewing. In
many cases wayfinding information replaced
the original artwork throughout the facility.

KARA SLATING/MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

1. THE LOGIC OF THE ENVIRONMENT

at Memorial Medical
The challenge for any wayfinding system is that it must help a first-time
Center strikes a balvisitor understand the logic of the physical space. However, as the master
ance between intuitive
plan unfolded at MMC, even patients who were familiar with the campus
architecture and informational wayfinding.
needed to understand the changes that had been made-they became new
For example, the curve
visitors, too.
of the illuminated soffit
For example, the main entrance experience was transformed as the new
carries the eye back to
patient tower was erected: Now, the front door to MMC is sited to serve as a
the grand staircase and
main elevators beyond,
monumental landmark that intuitively draws people from a distance with
while the signage
architectural cues, landscaping, lighting, and the MMC brand. Previously, a
provides information
red brick façade matched much of the surrounding building structure with a
at points of decision.
Visitors can refer to the
low, curved canopy to identify the main entrance, which, given the local tree
main elevator directory,
canopy, wasn't very visible from the road.
or navigate to the left
New signage is a similar departure: Since other healthcare destinations
along the first floor uson the campus aren't owned by MMC, the original signage organized difing directional signage.
Colors, materials,
ferent locations by color and type. This added visual clutter and confused
and typography were
drivers. Now, all destinations are visually treated equally except for emerdesigned to complement
gency, which appears in a red field. Information is organized alphabetically
interior treatments, but
still be recognizable as
by arrow direction (left, right, and straight) so that drivers can prepare for
wayfinding elements.
turns ahead.
At the same time, the interior wayfinding logic evolved, as well. The surgical services pre-admission unit was relocated adjacent to the main lobby,
selected inpatient rooms were moved to the new patient tower, and elevators were redefined. The previous wayfinding
system had identified three public elevators
THE CHALLENGE FOR ANY
(Capitol, Lincoln, and Garden) and one service
WAYFINDING SYSTEM IS
elevator (Elevator B), often used by the public
and located close to Capitol. Since the design of
THAT IT MUST HELP A FIRSTthe new lobby opened up the line of sight to the
TIME VISITOR UNDERSTAND
Capitol elevators, they were renamed Main ElTHE LOGIC OF THE SPACE.
evators and Elevator B was renamed Capitol.

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Healthcare Design - November 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Design - November 2016