Princeton University
Wayfinding for Princeton University creates a seamless navigation experience from town to gown and across the pastoral campus.
Founded in 1786, Princeton is one of the country’s oldest and most revered institutes of higher education. A 10-year campus plan, developed by Beyer Blinder Belle, included a strategy for wayfinding that would assist students and visitors as they traversed the evolving campus on foot, by car, and by campus shuttle. The design of the system needed to be visible yet integrate with Princeton’s historic architecture and preserve its pastoral landscape.
One of the primary needs of the vehicular wayfinding was to reduce congestion along Princeton’s Nassau Street, the town’s main street. New parking lot hierarchy had to be established for visitors, students, and staff. And new east-west pedestrian pathway’s were conceived with the landscape architect.
The signage program extended the University’s branding and codified nomenclature creating a seamless navigation experience from digital trip planning to meandering the pastoral campus. The cumulative effect of the new signage was announcing to the prospective students, the community, and visitors: you are welcome here.
Design: Laura Varacchi while at Two Twelve.