Building Awareness

The Ambler Arboretum maintains several public learning gardens distributed throughout the campus. Despite their presence, many visitors and community members were unaware of the gardens. The project sought to increase visibility and encourage exploration by visitors, dog walkers, and others seeking a peaceful place to walk. The wayfinding strategy was designed to connect the gardens into a more legible and accessible network.

Identity & Place

To encourage discovery and exploration, particular attention was given to how the identification elements became part of the landscape experience. Signs were positioned to align with primary viewpoints and approaches, allowing the garden identity to frame the entrance experience and reinforce a visual connection between the marker and the destination itself. The sign system employed a clean and restrained design language, with subtle reflective qualities that allowed the materials to respond to surrounding environmental conditions. Engraved and inlaid painted typography was selected to provide a sense of permanence while supporting the long-term character of the arboretum.

Orientation & Connection

Beyond establishing garden identification, the project introduced orientation kiosks positioned at key campus entry points and decision-making nodes. These kiosks provided maps, garden information, and visitor guidelines. Their placement was intended not only to provide information, but also to re-establish spatial relationships between destinations and help visitors build a clearer understanding of the garden network.