Wayfinding challenge

What was once a formal institution, Nieuwegein City Hall has now been transformed into a community home. Previously, its scale felt overwhelming to visitors. Its complex mix of administrative services, library facilities, and community spaces created navigational challenges that contradicted its aspiration to be a “Stadshuis” where everyone feels welcome. To address these needs, Mijksenaar created the wayfinding concept and design that supports a vision of connection and accessibility, developing an intuitive system that unites the different functions while strengthening the building’s new identity as a community center where multiple organizations work together to serve residents.

Orientation

By designing a series of vertical markers that act like visual signposts throughout the space, Mijksenaar has made it possible for visitors to orientate themselves within the building. Instead of blending into the architecture, these elements create an extra layer that helps people find their way. By placing wayfinding elements at key points, based on how visitors typically move through the building, it is easier for visitors to see where to go next. The open atrium plays an important role too, letting people look around and spot the next marker from a distance. This thoughtful approach helps visitors move smoothly between services—like the library, municipal offices, and health support—while experiencing the building as a welcoming, connected place.

Navigation

At the Stadshuis, wayfinding facilitates more than just moving from A to B—it becomes a clear and intuitive journey. Visitors follow a path from one marker to the next, creating a sense of flow that makes navigating the building feel natural and enjoyable. Each marker includes rotating information discs that can be adjusted to guide people at key decision points, while also connecting with the library’s organization system, linking movement through the space with how content is arranged. The fact that people now say things like “I’ll meet you at node 24” shows how deeply the system has become part of everyday use, shaping how people move and communicate within the space.

Experience

The wayfinding system at the Stadshuis was designed to feel like a helpful companion rather than just a set of signs. Each node acts as a “helper” in the space—offering support right when and where people need it. This approach responds to what many visitors naturally do in complex buildings: look for a person to ask. By combining clear physical markers with the presence of service staff, the system creates smooth transitions between personal help and independent navigation. Designed at a human scale, the nodes soften the building’s large, institutional feel, making it more inviting. Together, these elements reinforce the Stadshuis as a place where people can easily find their way—and where they always feel welcome and supported.

Result

The wayfinding system at Stadshuis Nieuwegein plays a key role in turning the building into a true community hub. Its intuitive design helps visitors move through the space with ease while also reinforcing the building’s open and welcoming atmosphere. By clearly linking the different services—like municipal offices, the library, and health support—the system creates a sense of unity, making the experience feel connected rather than fragmented. The impact is clear: people now understand the layout better, feel less stressed when finding their way, and even use the nodes as natural meeting points. References like “meet me at node 24” have become part of everyday conversations. This project shows how wayfinding can do more than point directions—it can help shape a shared experience, bringing people together in a City House where everyone truly feels at home.

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