Introduction to Wayfinding Studio Project

Design Project

Wayfinding at Jordanian University of Science and Technology

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Tools for reflection about 3^rd Year Design Studio at JUST

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Project

Wayfinging at JUST

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The Jordanian University of Science and Technology designed by Kenzo Tange, 1986 represents a high point of modern architecture with its rational master plan which responds to environmental issues such as sun, shade, natural lighting, and dust storms.  Tange arranged the linear buildings around square courtyards rotated 45 degrees from the cardinal directions. Entrances to each building, passageways to the courtyards, and vertical circulation all occur at the intersections of the buildings. The overall effect is an elegant plaid pattern on the landscape. Unfortunately, the ground this plan becomes disorienting because of its repetitive nature. The lack of architectural hierarchy makes it difficult to understand one’s location in the campus. Even though each façade is articulated differently and the courtyards vary in depth, vegetation, landscape articulation, and pools, the use of a modular system based on 30cm module and the consistent use of concrete and glass reinforce the interchangeability of spaces. Further disorientation occurs at the intersection/entrance nodes. One could expect hallways to continue through such intersections yet they are offset so views ahead are cut off. Additionally, the stair towers are offset 90 degrees so that when exiting a stair, it is easy to find oneself traveling perpendicular to the intended direction.

To combat this and develop a sense of identity, the architecture department painted its internal walls blue. Such a simple move dramatically improves the findability of the department within the campus, yet does nothing to improve general wayfinding. 
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The challenge of this studio project is to develop an architectural solution to the problems of wayfinding at JUST. The course will begin with several abstract assignments to help students understand concepts of wayfinding, analyze the campus, and develop innovative solutions.
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The objectives of this course include:

• To understand the difference between architectural intention and actual use of buildings
• To navigate between conception and pragmatic ideas
• To develop the student’s analytical, conceptual and technical design tools and their integration
• To enhance the students sensibility to the experiential aspects of design. It’s object will be the human body, its sensory experience and transformations; through touch of different textures, smell, movement, transitions from light and shadow
• To help students focus on experiential and spatial concepts rather than formal aspects of design

 

Google image of Jordanian University of Science and Technology

View of campus from Southeast. The double towers are the corner entrances from the main plaza street.

Instructors: Laith M. Obeidat, Sana' A. M. Al-Rqaibat, Amal T. Almalkawi, Yasir M. Sakr, Marika Snider (not pictured: Amneh H. Al-Zoubi)

Tower entrance with view to interior courtyard

Courtyard with different façade articulation on each direction

Courtyard with different façade articulation on each direction

Ineffective signage. I still don’t understand what “Connector” means. There is no B11 building.

Typical “node” on ground floor. Courtyard in center and two wings on either side. The same condition exists behind the camera.

Typical offset hallway which blocks the view of what’s up ahead.

Interior skylights which cut through all floors are architecturally stunning but don’t help with wayfinding.

Typical single-loaded corridor @ courtyard 

Single-loaded corridor @ administrative offices

Single-loaded corridor with Blue Wall @ architecture offices

Double-loaded corridor