A BIM-based model to study wayfinding signage using virtual reality

Abstract

Wayfinding signage is essential in a large building to find one’s way. Unfortunately, there are no methodologies and standards for designing signage. A good sign system therefore depends on the experience of the signage company. Getting lost in public infrastructures might be disorienting or cause anxiety. Designing an efficient signage system is challenging as the building needs to communicate a lot of information in a minimum of space. In this paper, we propose a model to study wayfinding signage based on BIM models and the BIM open library, which allows the integration of signage design into a BIM model to perform analyses and comparisons. The study of signage is based on the user’s perception, and virtual reality is a tool that best approximates this today. Our model helps to perform signage analysis in building design and to compare objectively the wayfinding signage in a BIM model using virtual reality.