Wayfinding Screens for Mixed-Use Buildings

Mixed-use buildings combine residential floors, offices, retail and parking under one roof. Each group has different entrances, elevators and access rights. Visitors don't know any of that, and static signs can only do so much. Digital wayfinding fills the gaps.

Common wayfinding problems

• Visitors taking residential elevators that don't serve office floors
• Delivery drivers wandering through residential lobbies
• Parking users unsure which elevator reaches which tower or podium
• Temporary changes (an elevator out of service, a closed entrance) that static signs can't reflect

What digital wayfinding screens do

Show the right route

"Offices, floors 3–8: use elevators on your right." "Residents: concierge ahead." Simple, large, unmissable.

Reflect temporary changes

When an entrance is closed or an elevator bank is out of service, the route on screen changes immediately, instead of relying on paper taped to a door.

Serve different audiences at different times

The same screen can emphasize retail hours during the day and residential access in the evening.

Combine with directories

In the commercial lobby, wayfinding sits alongside the tenant directory. See digital directory boards.

Placement

• Every public entrance, especially where routes split
• Parking elevator lobbies
• Transitions between zones (retail concourse to office lobby)
• Loading and service entrances, for deliveries and contractors

Design principles

• One decision per screen. Tell people which way to go here, not everything about the building.
• Consistent symbols and colours across the building and static signage.
• Large text and arrows readable while walking.
• Accessible routes shown clearly, not as an afterthought.

Coordination

Wayfinding screens work best when they agree with the building's static signage, access control and security procedures. Involve property management, security and, where relevant, the condominium board for the residential portion.

Shared costs

In mixed-use buildings with multiple owners or a shared facilities arrangement, agree up front which party owns and pays for each screen, and who controls its content.