Innovative wayfinding for a dynamic learning environment in a landmark academic facility

Overview
Büro North collaborated with Lyons Architects to deliver a cutting-edge wayfinding system for the RMIT Swanston Academic Building in Melbourne’s CBD, a $200 million facility housing the College of Business. Drawing inspiration from the building’s unique interior, Büro North designed organic, ribbon-like signage that mimics the flow of traffic and responds to key destinations. The wayfinding system enhances accessibility by giving precedence to large, easily visible level numbers and pictograms, applied to escalator landings for optimal orientation. Custom fonts further improve navigation by adapting to the perspective of users moving up through the building. To reflect the business faculty’s industry relevance, the main entry sign incorporates a live LED ticker tape displaying real-time stock exchange information. The efficient wayfinding strategy reduced the need for physical signage, with updateable vinyl lettering allowing for future flexibility. This approach ensures a seamless, intuitive experience for students, staff, and visitors alike.