Finding Ways around the Campus

spatial configuration; architectural research; architectural design; university campus In order to improve wayfinding around the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte’s main campus (Natal, Brazil), a new signage system for pedestrians is being proposed as part of its new configuration, to be implemented by 2010. The study focus on methodological procedures and techniques, developed within an interdisciplinary framework, which are being applied as resources for design decision-making; among them, behavioural mapping (to represent the students ’ views about the campus’s current spatial configuration) and axial modelling of the existing and projected pedestrian routes, connecting buildings and linking these to open spaces, bus stops and car parks. By articulating the collected information, a basis to support the implementation of signage guidelines for the 2010 campus spatial configuration was developed. Key-words: pedestrian, campus, interdisciplinary approach. 1. Introduction – a signage system for a new spatial configuration By the year 2010, as a consequence of a National Government Plan for expanding higher education, the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) main campus (Natal, Brazil