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Königsplatz Paderborn
Wayfinding at the Highest Level
How radical simplification turned a forest of signs into clear orientation.
As part of the comprehensive renovation of the underground car park beneath Königsplatz, ASP Paderborn faced a central challenge: How do you guide visitors safely through a tight, organically grown structure whose orientation had become increasingly complex over decades?
The existing system had turned into a dense forest of signs. Contradictory information, differing design logics and a high visual density made orientation difficult for both first-time visitors and regular users.
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At the underground car park at Königsplatz in Paderborn: Light, calm and clarity.
Reset instead of repair
Our first step was therefore uncompromising: a complete reset. On this basis, we developed a wayfinding system that deliberately holds back – clear, calm and functional. The goal was not to attract attention, but to create a sense of safety, overview and trust.
Key tasks included:
reducing and hierarchising all information
clear routing despite tight spatial conditions
a visual language that supports orientation without overloading the space
At the underground car park at Königsplatz in Paderborn: Pleasant colours and reduced wayfinding.
Wayfinding as part of the architecture
Beyond the conception and design of the wayfinding system, we were closely involved in the renovation process itself. Through regular construction meetings, we coordinated with the client, planners and executing trades to ensure that architectural, technical and design decisions consistently served orientation within the space.
As a result, the wayfinding system was not added afterwards, but became an integral part of the renewal – from the positioning of individual elements to materials and lighting.
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Implementation during ongoing operation
Together with the involved trades, we accompanied the on-site implementation and ensured that the system was realised precisely and consistently under real-world conditions. A dedicated handbook ensures that the system remains understandable over time and can be cleanly continued as the car park evolves or is adapted.
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Kurz gesagt
A consistently reduced wayfinding system that reorganises a complex underground car park – clear, calm, and conceived as an integral part of the architecture.
Leistungen
Analysis
Wayfinding system
Guidelines / handbook
Implementation support
Dauer
12 months
Kontext
Public space · Parking · Underground car park · Visitor guidance