The children’s hospital in Melbourne, Australia, has a new kid-friendly approach to navigation.

Following the meticulous design of its wayfinding program, the new facility contains over 5,000 signs, wall panels and landmarks. A journey through the hospital is designed to take visitors from ‘underground’ on the lower levels to the ‘sky’ on the top floor.

Appealing to the young patients are quirky artistic themes on every level, like colourful animals or scenes from nature. Children were considered a key user group in the design process, and their thought-processes were taken into consideration.  

The way-finding designers, Büro North and illustrator Jane Reiseger, say that their navigation system reduced average journey times by 45 per cent compared to old hospital's signage. It also reduced the need to ask for assistance from 78 per cent to under 10 per cent.

Photos courtesy Fraser Marsden.