The challenge of wayfi nding in health care environments

Abstract

Wayfinding in health care environments, especially hospitals, may be difficult for two reasons. The venues are large and complicated, and the users may be physically or emotionally under duress such that wayfinding is more difficult. Written from a design perspective, this chapter focuses on wayshowing, the professional activity practiced by architects and graphic designers that informs wayfinding. Good wayshowing in hospitals and elsewhere is user centered; it takes its point of departure in the nine strategies we all use when finding our way in unknown territory. Each of these strategies, outlined in the chapter, can be supported by appropriate wayshowing. Key wayshowing design responses are described to facilitate hospital wayfinding.