Design Workshop Completes Civic Wayfinding Project for Town of Breckenridge

One of several similar projects the firm has recently completed to update city navigation systems for Colorado mountain communities

8 December 2010

Denver, CO – Design Workshop, an award-winning international landscape architecture, planning and strategic services firm, recently completed a civic wayfinding project with the Town of Breckenridge as part of overall efforts to facilitate traffic flow, especially during the winter ski season. The firm worked closely with city planners and officials to develop an updated navigation system that eliminates confusion for pedestrians and drivers and enables them to find their specific destinations–whether it is skiers and snowboarders looking for designated parking areas or visitors who would like to shop or dine along Main Street.

“Wayfinding” is a term used to describe a comprehensive and consistent program designed to aid people in navigating an environment based on the process of cognitive mapping—creating a mental image of a place that improves over time. Through the use of signage and maps that utilize visual elements (symbols, colors, messages and images), the systems are designed to be intuitive and easy to grasp.

The Town of Breckenridge chose Design Workshop to collaborate with Jennifer Cram, town planner; Tom Daugherty, town engineer; a committee of Breckenridge officials and local business people to create a Main Street revitalization plan and to develop a new wayfinding program.

“The entire process has been very rewarding and very educational. It allowed us to create a product that reflects the character of Breckenridge, and provides visitors an updated, easy-to-understand way to locate the wonderful amenities of our town,” said Cram.

The wayfinding system was designed to reflect the historic and rustic mountain town setting and rich mining history. Signs direct drivers to parking areas, which in turn have trailblazers with wooden arms cleverly shaped like skis, clearly identifying directions to the welcome center, ski areas, civic and cultural destinations, and shopping areas with maps for easy orientation.

“The wayfinding system design needed to blend seamlessly within the overall historic town context, and be durable, legible, practical and friendly,” said Kelan Smith, Design Workshop's senior environmental graphic designer and associate. “The interesting thing is when you create an effective wayfinding system, you rarely hear about it, but if it is flawed and not clear to people, then you hear complaints loud and clear. So far with Breckenridge, we've solicited comments from visitors and they have all been unanimously positive.”

Design Workshop also recently completed wayfinding projects for the City of Glenwood Springs and Town of Avon, and the firm has additional wayfinding projects underway with Beaver Creek Resort and Eagle Vail.

About Design Workshop
Founded in 1969, Design Workshop is an international landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic services firm with six offices in the U.S. and work spanning the globe. The firm has been recognized with over 150 prestigious awards for its work in new communities, urban centers, resorts, public parks, golf courses and residences. The firm's philosophy challenges the project team to equally integrate and balance artistic vision, environmental sensitivity, community values and sound economics to create unique places that stand the test of time. It refers to this approach as DW Legacy Design®.