Something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently, especially with conversations around EDIB, is how we can make buildings easier to use for everyone. I’ve put together a few simple ideas we’ve been implementing in recent projects and thought I would share. I hope it’s helpful for you and encourages further thoughts on how to make your buildings even more inviting.
Door Handles
This one really bugs me sometimes when all it needs is a push plate on one side and a pull handle on the other. Make it really clear and everyone will love it.
Taps
You might have seen my recent post about this on LinkedIn, it’s something that’s become really over complicated when it doesn’t need to be. Anything out of the ordinary can be confusing or have electronic components that break. Keep it simple with a lever to control flow and temperature.
Signage
There’s a great book I’d recommend called Straight Forward – How way finding works and why strategy matters by Patrick Eley and Alan Stevenson. Often too much signage can lead to people not paying attention, and complex symbols cause confusion. I would rather design a space to be intuitive and rely on as little signage as possible. When a sign is needed then minimal and clear direction is all that’s needed.
Layout
An intuitive layout can help the flow and navigation of a building even better than good signage. Which is the entrance door? Which way do I queue? Where do I pay? Where are the toilets? If the answers aren’t fairly obvious then improvements can be made. One of my favourites is when one toilet is in the basement down an endless corridor and the other is on the 4th floor somewhere in a put luck of 25 ‘staff only’ doors. We’ve all been to a place like this. It’s confusing for visitors but it’s a real ops pain as well. Simple works better for staff as well as visitors.
Wanna talk?
If you’re interested to discuss further or are facing some of these challenges then just reply and let me know how I can help. Likewise if you know someone who might find this useful then please forward onto them. If you’d rather give me a quick call my mobile number is 07812507345.
I’m also keen to hear what other topics you might be interested in, what design dilemmas have you got on your plate at the moment?
Speak soon!