Intro

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We aimed to create a wayfinding system that provides maximum guidance with minimal signage. Our concept of intuitive orientation emerged from this challenge. We identified existing landmarks that users already rely on for orientation and transformed them into distinctive landmarks. Drawing inspiration from the inner compass, we divided the spaces into gravitational fields. This approach allowed us to develop an intuitive system that guides users through echoes while also indicating distance.

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Research

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We conducted research on the concept of intuition using various sources. These included articles, books, recorded talks by psychologists, documentaries, and videos. Our aim was to make the abstract topic of intuition more understandable. Although intuition may have a simple definition, it is a complex and challenging concept to define. We all question the meaning of our own intuition at times.

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An inner compass represents an internal style and feeling that provides guidance. It serves as a personal goal-setting tool for individuals and also helps align the compass within a community to facilitate group cooperation. This enables the establishment of common goals and a shared path to strive for. Our orientation system aims to assist individuals in defining and streamlining this goal. It serves as a supportive and self-directed guidance mechanism.

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»Just as the tree grows towards the light, you need an idea of what is worth working for. Working for this is called coherence, an inner image that creates coherence.«

– Prof. Dr. Gerald Hüther, neurobiologist

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Concepts

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The BFW already has easily identifiable landmarks for orientation. Our goal is to further enhance their visibility and make them unmistakable. Our first approach involves subconsciously drawing attention to these landmarks, ensuring they stand out, and establishing an identification system. The key landmarks in the BFW include the dining room, double elevator, medical service, smoke islands, and chessboard.

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Similar to how a compass aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, we aimed to achieve the same effect for the rehabilitants. We projected magnetic fields onto the floor plan of the BFW, resulting in a system of echo and superimposition. The landmarks, which hold great significance to us, now serve as high and low pitch locations, each associated with a specific field extension. Our second component includes:

– Alignment with a gravitational field, acting as an inner compass

– Variation in sound intensity and temperature, ranging from loud to quiet and warm to cold

– Grounding

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The two components create an interplay between landmarks and the concept of resonance.

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Behind the BFW

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For over 50 years, the Berufsförderungswerk Berlin-Brandenburg has been dedicated to vocational rehabilitation. The organization offers a wide range of courses, retraining, and other training measures to promote sustainable participation in the workforce. Each day, more than a hundred participants visit the main building in Berlin-Charlottenburg for seminars, workshops, counseling sessions, and to work in workshops and computer labs. They also have access to a dining room and café. The multi-storey building, which was opened in 1965, presents spatial challenges with its long corridors, unexpected staircases, junctions, changes of direction, and dead ends. While there are information and signage to guide users, they may not always provide intuitive orientation.