Approach

We began by immersing ourselves in the space: walking the trails, analyzing surveys, and observing how visitors interacted with the environment. Our insights revealed key challenges:

• Scale and Adaptability: With its ever-evolving layout, the garden required signage that could be easily updated to reflect changes in pathways or attractions.
• Aesthetic Integration: Signs needed to blend harmoniously with the garden’s landscape, avoiding visual disruption.
• Clarity and Functionality: Directions had to be clear and accessible to visitors of all ages and physical abilities.

To address these needs, we proposed and developed a modular wayfinding system:

• Design Details: Each sign featured a dark green background for high readability while blending into the forest surroundings. Multi-directional, vandal-proof arrows were encased in cubed bounding boxes, ensuring accurate orientation for cardinal directions.
• Modularity: The system allowed for quick and cost-effective updates, accommodating the garden’s changing features and seasonal variations.
• Quiet Presence: The understated design encouraged a sense of adventure, providing essential information without overly directing visitors, preserving their freedom to explore.
• Collaborative Validation: A main pavilion map and test signage prototypes were created and reviewed with Mead Garden’s board of directors for iterative refinement.

Results

The completed wayfinding system has significantly enhanced the visitor experience:

• Clarity in Navigation: Visitors now enjoy a clearer, more intuitive navigation experience across the garden’s expansive layout.
• Sustainability and Longevity: The vandal-proof materials and modular design ensure the system can adapt to future needs with minimal waste.
• Seamless Integration: The signage complements the natural environment, adding value without detracting from the garden’s beauty.

The project was delivered on time and within budget, meeting Mead Garden’s operational and aesthetic goals.

Conclusion

The Mead Garden Wayfinding project exemplifies the power of collaborative design. By integrating input from environmental specialists, urban planners, and creative professionals, we achieved a system that honors the garden’s mission to inspire and educate while improving accessibility. Key collaborators included:

• Jeffrey Blydenburgh: Urban Planner
• Catherine Bowman: Environmental Specialist
• Cynthia Hasenau: Creative Director
• Michael Diaz: Design Consultant

This project underscores the importance of thoughtful, adaptable design in creating spaces that both serve and inspire.