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Initial designs employed a color-coded system that would help visitors visually sort through the many destinations on and near the site. But resistance from the CFA led to additional mock-ups, further consultation with the SHPO and NCPC, and reconsideration by NPS. In the end, NPS agreed that the monochromatic approach was preferred. The final product will be 9-ft.-tall pylons incorporating dark gray porcelain enamel panels atop bases of solid block granite. “The Commission members felt strongly that color might be too intrusive, and that the monochrome system works effectively and is dignified, elegant, and timeless,” says Luebke. Hunt says the signs will achieve the project’s major goals: facilitating circulation and instilling visitor confidence. “I wouldn’t be surprised if people leaving the site are asked about the signs and answer ‘What signs?’” Fitting in Negotiating sign wording was a separate but tricky issue. Entities such as the Smithsonian wanted the National Mall signs to include the museums’ formal (and often lengthy) names. “We promoted conversational clarity in the sign messaging,” says Hunt. “You want to talk in the same language as your guests.” So signs that point visitors to the new National Museum of the American Indian refer to the American Indian Museum. Monumental challenge Yet another challenge was meshing the National Mall signage with existing wayfinding for “off-mall” attractions such as the Corcoran, the Spy Museum, Kennedy Center, the Newseum, the Supreme Court, and about 100 more destinations covered in the existing Business Improvement District (BID) signage for downtown D.C. (designed by Calori & Vanden Eynden in 2000). “Like every national park, we realize we’re a part of something bigger; we’re part of the urban core of D.C.,” says Spaulding. “The goal is to help visitors.” The NPS worked with multiple BIDs, the DC Office of Planning, the Smithsonian, and other entities to ensure that key off-mall attractions were included on the NPS maps and signs. The project’s final, monumental challenge is designing appropriate identification elements for the nation’s most treasured symbols of democracy. Part of the challenge is the notion (by Washingtonians, primarily) that the major monuments are “self evident” and don’t require labels. “To me, the only obvious monument on the National Mall is the Washington Monument, and even that is debatable,” says Hunt. “Lincoln is occasionally confused with Jefferson or remains mysterious. I recently heard a parent describe the Capitol as the White House. And the museums look identical to many visitors.” Ultimately the team, the CFA, and other involved agencies will need to agree on a rationale for signing the monuments rather than one specific approach, says Hunt. That rationale will embrace respect, appropriateness, and subtly. Solutions may include simple treatments such as lettering added to existing walls, the addition of low curbs or stones embedded into the ground, subdued freestanding signs made of the same materials as the monument, or even UniGuide signage for smaller monuments. “There won’t be a cookie-cutter solution,” says Clark. “Whatever we do must be unique to each situation, and with all due respect.” Above: The Hunt/NPS team and the CFA agree there is no cookie-cutter approach to identifying national monuments; each must respond to the unique site. Possible solutions include (from left) a standard NPS park identity sign, a monochromatic scheme matching the National Mall’s new pylon system, and a simple engravedstone marker. Right: Extensive studies focusing on pedestrian approach, site furnishings, and lines of sight were used to tailor the size of directional signs to the site. 38 segdDESIGN

SEGD 2010 No. 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEGD 2010 No. 27

SEGD 2010 No. 27 - Intro
SEGD 2010 No. 27 - a
SEGD 2010 No. 27 - b
SEGD 2010 No. 27 - 1
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SEGD 2010 No. 27 - c
SEGD 2010 No. 27 - d
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