Signage updates key BOMA Wayfinding workshop topics, with focus on Town Center
Signs, signs … everywhere signs as Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen heard recommendations about future placement and design of signs as part of a Wayfinding workshop Thursday, Aug. 8.
While the Board took no action, Jamie Wilheim, design consultant with Guide Studio, which was contracted by the Town to come up with a wayfinding program, asked for the Board’s input.
“Signage is one of the first physical interactions a person has with a place and will make an impression — either positive or negative — to visitors, residents and potential business owners,” the presentation language stated.
Focus on Town Center
“We’re focusing on the Town Center,” Wilheim said.
The recommendations were:
1. Identify entries into to Farragut with stronger gateway signage sized appropriately for the context, positioned for maximum readability and fits the character of the Town;
2. Add clear wayfinding signage to help visitors and residents orient themselves to the Town and what it has to offer;
3. Establish Town Center as a top tier destination by:
• Directing to Town Center from the outskirts of Town — once in Town Center, messages should direct to its specific destinations.
• Implement placemaking elements, such as “district” gateways, banners, streetscape elements, public art, etc. to educate the public and define the district as a unique area in Farragut.
• Capitalizing on crowds already attending major destinations, such as Topgolf and Turkey Creek by directing to Town Center.
• Identifying public parking within Town Center to encourage people to stay longer.
Beyond wayfinding: create a one-stop website (and organization) to function as a central hub of information for Town Center. Utilize consistent nomenclature, maps, graphics, etc.
4. Support a stronger pedestrian and cycling experience. Better identify and define the greenways with more noticeable signage at entry/connection points and destination/distance markers. Add event kiosks at places with high-pedestrian activity (parks, shopping plazas, etc.).
5. Showcase the Town’s history. Support existing interpretive signage and maps, with signage to show all the stops on the history tour. Provide physical version of the map at key points to let people know where to go next/where they are on the history tour.
6. Establish criteria guidelines for shopping districts to appear on community wayfinding signage. (For example, the district must have X-percent of “lifestyle” amenities (housing, visitor attractions/non-private businesses, etc.)
More Wilheim suggestions
Wilheim also showed examples of signs, such as a vertical brick sign at gateway areas, but some Board members questioned its readability.
“People don’t read sideways; they read up and down,” Mayor Ron Williams said.
Wilheim also showed a proposed arch sign that could go at Mayor Bob McGill Plaza.
Williams asked if the herringbone pattern on the sign could be bigger.
