Through their design, buildings give people physical clues to help us understand what happens inside them, how we enter them, and how we should behave there. They also help us to navigate around the building and find what we are looking for.
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The use of different colours, materials, textures or views through can help to signal to people where to go next.

Examples

Distinctive entrances

Marking an entrance in an eye-catching or unique way can signal to people where  to enter a building.

 The Green Community Centre, Nunhead
Source: AOC Architecture Ltd © Tim Soar

Using colour to guide

Colour can be used to signal routes, and to mark transitions from one space to another.
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Sheffield Buddhist Centre
Source: Empowering Design Practices

Marking the threshold

Creating a special threshold space can help welcome people into a building, create a space to pause and gather, and prepare people to leave the building. 
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St Martin’s Church, Bilborough
Source: Empowering Design Practices

Creative signage

Using clear, yet playful signage can help people navigate a space and can signal distinct identities to different parts of a building.
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Stratford-upon-Avon United Reformed Church / The Bear Pit Theatre
Source: Empowering Design Practices

Take a look at your building

Looking at what’s there​​
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1. Is it easy for people to understand how to enter your building?
   
   
2. How easy is it for people to find their way around your building? What clues does the building give people to help them navigate?
   
   
3. What are the physical and visual connections between inside and outside your building?

Looking to the future​
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1. Can making changes to the approach and entrance of the building help people better understand its current use?
   
   
2. How can you provide clear points and indicators of orientation to guide and situate people in your building?
   
   
3. How will you make it clear how the different spaces are to be used, and which areas are public or private? ​

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