stuttgart university
signage system refectory
stuttgart-vaihingen 2004

the foyer is a flowing space, a concrete sculpture set in a spatial concrete frame. outside and inside, pathways are signposted with brilliant red varnished tubes. these are signals, visible from afar. they stretch from floor and ceiling – some as much as six metres high. the rounded form of the red signposts stands out against the angular grey concrete structure. this signage system is clearly, visibly an addition. information points are anchored in the floorplan and are developed into spatial features. the tubes’ diameter is so wide that they cannot to be mistaken for pipes or ventilation ducts – yet narrow enough for them not to be interpreted as load-bearing elements.