ImpactNew Signage Program Opens at Bayhealth Medical Center Expansion
Our environmental graphic design team recently had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Bayhealth Kent General Phase II Expansion in Dover, Delaware. For me, the Senior Designer of the new wayfinding system for this hospital addition project, the opening represented the culmination of three years of dedicated work, enjoyable professional relationships, and steadfast collaboration among project partners. There was a sense of excitement in the air as we got our first glimpses of newly installed exterior and interior signs simultaneously.
As we toured the impressive new space, it was fulfilling to see the seamless integration of our signs in to the new environment. The design elements of our sign system took a cue from aspects of the patient-centered architecture by the Philadelphia-based architects, EwingCole, featuring curved forms and translucent finishes. Our custom-designed directional and room signs, formed from compressed acrylic, create a luminous effect and complement the building aesthetic.
Developing a wayfinding strategy for an extension project is a particular challenge because of the need to integrate both old and new buildings and their various visual and structural elements. Building upon a hospital-wide room re-numbering program that we had executed for the hospital, we ultimately settled on a "zone-centered" wayfinding strategy. We sub-divided the hospital floor plan into colored zones based on room functions. To express the strategy in the physical space, we developed color-coded overhead and wall-mounted directional signs that direct visitors to each desired zone. This easy-to-comprehend strategy simplifies the wayfinding experience between existing and new buildings and their connecting corridors. To serve the needs of visitors who speak languages other than English, we used the pictorial Hablamos Juntos Universal Symbols for Health Care on directionals and directories.
As emphasized by the distinguished speakers at the opening, the event marked an exciting moment for the regional hospital. Our team was thrilled to contribute to the completion of this significant new resource for the community and its growing healthcare needs.
