Wayfinding & Accessibility in the Student Union Building

This ethnographic study aimed to determine the intentions, behaviors, and pain points of visitors to Boise State’s Student Union Building. As the building grew, it became stylistically disjointed, and that disconnect is mirrored by its use. Visitors rarely conceptualize areas of the building that do not directly relate to the task they associate with their visit. People also tend to use landmarks to orient themselves, yet this has not been utilized in the space’s wayfinding design. Visitors regularly follow inefficient paths through the space and ask for help from people who are not equipped to provide it. There is ample opportunity for a cohesive set of directional markers both inside and outside the building. The overwhelming and disjointed nature of the space also plagues those tasked with cataloguing and resolving its issues. This was addressed by creating an editable 360° reference image database that covered every hallway and most rooms in the building. In addition to outlining the patterns that underly wayfinding impediments, I also proposed solutions to many small, site-specific issues. This research should allow administrators to create more accurate accessibility guidelines as well as ensure that design updates serve the needs of everyone in the space