There is one component that has been present in every building that’s ever been built: the floor. From packed dirt to futuristic manmade materials, floors are always a given.
This doesn’t mean, however, that the function of a floor should be confined to being a place on which to stand. Integrating wayfinding into a building’s flooring is an excellent way to help people navigate within a space, especially in large and complex environments like airports, hospitals, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and schools. Many of us have found ourselves lost in a maze of colorless hospital corridors or walking in circles trying to find the right escalator in a huge transportation terminal. Signage applied to or built into flooring is increasingly being used to help people orient themselves and direct them to where they want to go.
Graphic decals that can be affixed to a floor are perhaps the simplest and most versatile option. Stripes or graphics can be painted onto floors and topped with a clear sealant. For a more permanent solution, wayfinding elements can be built into the floor material, from rubber floor inlays to colored vinyl patterns that can be welded into a sheet vinyl floor. Some manufacturers offer customizable vinyl planks and tiles with various messages, arrows, stripes, and symbols. Wayfinding elements can also be incorporated into terrazzo floor designs or dyed into concrete floors. There are even tactile flooring options available for the visually impaired.
For more information on floor wayfinding options, selections, and installation, please contact SRI & Company at 973-832-7627.
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