SKyline sculpture

SIGNAGE PLAYED an important part in helping people navigate Brisbane Square's public and private spaces.

"Dot Dash designed the wayfinding signage systems and interior graphics for the building," says director Mark Ross. "This included four commissions working with four architectural practices: the exterior sign program with Denton Corker Marshall; the interior graphics and signage for the new BCC Library and Customer Centre with City Design; the BCC offices, podium and levels 6-23, with Woods Bagot; and Suncorp's offices, levels 24-37, with Cox Rayner Architects."

All projects required close consultation with the architects in formulating design strategies that responded to the broader context.

"For the BCC offices, Woods Bagot drew on the Queenslander as a cultural reference and a framework for ordering spaces," he says. "Graphic elements include large photo murals of house numbers that were used to replace typical level numbering. In addition, glass meeting rooms were wrapped in patterns of timber fretwork, the steel structure of Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge, or the meandering lines of the Brisbane River."

For the Customer Centre and Library there was a focus on using photographic images, illustrations and symbols to help intuitive understanding of how the collections are arranged, and to highlight specific areas.

"A challenge in all projects of this nature is to provide information that is accessible to all users," says Ross. "Throughout the BCC's public spaces and offices there is a consistent use of tactile and Braille messages and tactual maps to assist blind or vision impaired visitors."

For further details, contact Dot Dash, Brisbane: phone (07) 3896 6600, Sydney (02) 9698 3966. Website: www.dotdash.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas