WALSH BAY ARTS AND CULTURAL PRECINCT STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION SSDA 8671 APPENDIX 6: WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE REPORT Walsh Bay Arts & Cultural Precinct Wayfinding & Signage Strategy Infrastructure NSW (INSW) on behalf of Arts, Screen and Cultural Division 29 September 2017 SSDA Submission ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd ABN 11 120 219 561 Report prepared for InfrastructureNSW by Urban&Public Urban Strategy —Public Life September 2017 Urban Design & Systems Wayfinding & Active Transport Branding & Communications Interpretration & Memorials Video & Digital Production urbanandpublic.com P 02 9699 7182 Level 1, 78–80 George Street Redfern NSW 2016 Australia A studio from ASPECT Studios aspect.net.au 03 CONTENTS Executive Summary 04 4. Site Identity — Existing Conditions 16 4.1 Branding and identification of the Arts 1. Background 05 and Cultural Precinct 16 4.2 Place names, precinct naming and 1.1 The Project 05 addressing systems 16 1.2 Location 05 4.3 Precinct Markers and Gateways 1.3 Purpose of this report 06 4.4 Plaques 20 1.4 History of signage on the site 06 4.5 Interpretive Elements 20 1.5 Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural Precinct Tenants 08 1.5 Attractions and Activation 08 5. Site Identity — Proposed Signage 21 2. Access to Walsh Bay 09 5.1 Building/Wharf Identification 21 5.2 External building signage & awning signage 21 2.1 Public transport 09 5.3 Digital signage and systems 21 2.2 Active transport — walking and cycling 10 5.4 Internal signage 33 2.3 Private Transport and Taxis 11 5.5 Existing signage and interpretive information 33 2.4 Loading & Vehicle Access to Wharfs 11 6. Statutory Signage 34 3. Wayfinding 12 5.1 DDA Compliance 34 3.1 Wayfinding Standards 12 5.2 Fire and Egress 34 3.2 Walsh Bay Public Domain Signage Standards 12 5.3 Vehicular Signage 36 3.3 Legible Sydney Wayfinding System 13 5.4 Regulatory Signage 37 3.4 Other Wayfinding Systems 15 7. Conclusion & Recommendations 38 WALSH BAY ARTS AND CULTURAL PRECINCT WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE REPORT 04 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural Precinct site ACTIONS // ACTION 6 // ACTION 11 // ACTION 17 has a number of historical layers of signage, Vehicular signage related to movement in to Building signage, identity treatments and Integrated digital and touch screen displays wayfinding, branding and identity. The key // ACTION 1 and within the site is to be integrated with wayfinding is proposed at entry and arrival and signage are proposed to promote purpose of signage and wayfinding is to provide new WBACP signage system, complying points on Hickson Road and at eastern and events, shows and heritage interpretation. clarity, sense of place Preserve, maintain and reference the existing with relevant standards and be affixed with western gateways on the wharf aprons. Two digital pylons and two digital walls signage on the site and the hand made The industrial architecture of the site and systems appropriate to the architecture. will be employed for visitor information methods used in their production. // ACTION 12 integrated identity of the entire Walsh Bay Shore services. Digital displays will also be used for // ACTION 7 Shed and Finger Wharfs means that the identity // ACTION 2 Install new environmental graphics, signage, proividing ticketing information and selling of particular venues, offices, meeting points Any new signage systems used in the Walsh lighting and projections to the existing event tickets. Create a signage and wayfinding system and gathering areas is often poorly articulated, Bay Arts and Cultural Precinct should Hickson Road bridges that complement the that can incorporate and reflect the range // ACTION 18 making wayfinding more difficult. have a wider influence on an improved and utilitarian structures and social history of and identities of artistic and cultural groups coordinated Walsh Bay wide addressing, the site, whilst enhancing the precinct with The existing heritage interpretation is to The site has multiple entry points and gateways and companies at Walsh Bay — whilst branding, signage and wayfinding strategy a sense of theatre and arrival — especially in be renewed and integrated in the foyer of from different orientations, and multiple modes encouraging a theatre precinct with a for street addresses, wharf and pier numbers the evening. Pier 2/3 and other areas public domain in of transport are used to reach the site. number of venues and companies. and entrances and for any arts and theatre coordination with the appropriate heritage // ACTION 13 Wayfinding, branding and site identity will be an // ACTION 3 related activities. reports. Increase recognition of the important element for the site as many visitors All existing plaques to be retained and significant indigenous heritage of the site, Signage and wayfinding to set the scene // ACTION 8 will be irregular attendees at performances, restored where necessary. New plaques to including people, language and flora and for vibrant and diverse arts precicnt, where rehearsals, events and meetings. The City of Sydney ‘Legible Sydney’ system be of high quality cast bronze and carefully fauna. each companies activities, events, brands will be the principal wayfinding system for sited in relation to other plaques and signs on Improvements and additions to city wide and imagery are allowed to be promoted and // ACTION 19 directing pedestrians to and from the local the site. wayfinding through the ‘Legible Sydney’ presented. area, nearby transport nodes and local All existing accessible and DDA compliant program by the City of Sydney will greatly // ACTION 14 // ACTION 4 attractors to the Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural signage to removed and upgraded to current improve pedestrian and cycle access to the Precinct. All messaging and maps shall be Better support interpretive walks and allow standards and be manufactured in high neighbourhood from further afield. Signage in Increase the level and visibility of cycling updated to recognise new venues, venue for expansion of the Theatre Walk on Pier 2/3 quality long lasting finishes and where The Rocks and Barangaroo will complement services;such as bicycle parking. Walking names and locations. and investigate opportunities for additional possible incorporated within the developed wayfinding particularly for tourists and visitors.. times and routes to Walsh Bay to be walks. Existing interpretive signage to suite of signs rather than as an after thought. promoted at major transport nodes such // ACTION 9 Key to the success of wayfinding will be the be reviewed for relevance and replaced/ Where possible standard off–the–shelf signs, as Circular Quay, Wynyard, Barangaroo and identity of the Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural Better integration and improved consistency renewed where suitable. stickers and laminated signs should not be Darling Harbour and the future Barangaroo Precinct itself within a larger collection of of wayfinding messaging and mapping used for DDA compliance. Metro Station. Wayfinding signage used // ACTION 15 buildings, wharfs and public spaces along across all sign sites in the precinct, especially to support and encourage active transport // ACTION 20 Hickson Road. The second component of ease in The Rocks and Barangaroo. Replace existing entry signage with access. of access and movement will be the internal signage that reflects a new brand identity Statutory signage to be implemented using wayfinding system developed for Arts Precinct // ACTION 5 and individual venue names, reflecting the the City of Sydney standard public space and tenancies, venues and public spaces. The site // ACTION 10 heritage and qualities of existing signage on parks system. Install illuminated City of Sydney taxi rank is relatively large and can involve long walks site. It is propsed to reinstate the removed pylons (Legible Sydney type) on Hickson Use clear and consistent naming of wharfs, // ACTION 21 to reach venues particularly those at the end original large '4' and '5' wharf numbers to the Road to improve visibility and provide more aprons, venues, rooms and offices is key to of each wharf. The better the wayfinding, the north end of Wharf 4/5. All vehicle signage to be reviewed and information about taxi services for visitors establishing a useful and practical wayfinding better the customer and visitor experience will updated to current standards and installed and residents. system that allows and ease of orientation // ACTION 16 be through ease of movement and ability to find in appropriate locations in robust with and access to desired destinations within the particular locations, performances and events. New external building and awning signage well designed hardware and fittings. All precinct and wider neighbourhood, removing to be located on Hickson Road to assist in messaging, speed limits and load limits to be New wayfinding, signage and branding should confusion and ambiguity about venue establishing a theatre district atmosphere reviewed and made consistent. reflect a contemporary approach, but work addresses. and provide amenity, activity, clarity and within the contextual heritage environment information about the arts companies, cognisant of the hand made and ‘working wharf’ venues and events. language of signage, materials, construction and identity. The overall approach should allow for an indivuality that evokes the sense of a 'Theatre District', with many venues and activities occuring within it to encourage visitation and to enhance the urban area as a vital and interesting part of Sydney. WALSH BAY ARTS AND CULTURAL PRECINCT WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE REPORT 05 1 BACKGROUND FIGURE 01 SITE LOCATION 1.1 The Project 1.2 Location Pier 2/3 is legally described as Lot 11 in DP 1138931 and Wharf 4/5 is legally described as Lot 65 in DP 1048377. The total area for these SYDNEY The NSW Government is committed to The site generally comprises Pier 2/3, Pier 4/5 HARBOUR lots is 18,090 m2. development of a public arts and cultural and its shore sheds which make up Wharf 4/5, BRIDGE precinct at Walsh Bay.