Öffentliche Bauten

State Museum Wuerttemberg – guides wisely through the history

The historic Old Castle in Stuttgart is home to the State Museum Wuerttemberg. Due to its 150th anniversary 2012 the museum opened a new exhibition named “Legendäre Meister Werke” (legendary masterpieces) on 25th May. On behalf of the museum the team of Communi-cation Designers of DIA – Dittel Architekten designed a guidance system for the 2nd floor where the exhibition is situated.

A reasonable routing had to be found for directing the visitors through the exposition. The challenge was to develop an applied logic and an expediant positioning of the rooms’ numbering. The signage tables, which are installed at the inner door reveals of freestone, are made of MDF covered with painting of bronze. By help of the numbering, visitors can identify the floor and the room they are located. Thanks to the simple illustration of the floor plan on the tables people can easily find their way. The signage is to be transferred on the remaining floors, too.

The typography of the guidance system was adapted by the design of a folder, that is handed out to every visitor of the museum at the reception. This so called “Wegweiser” (guidepost) contains a general survey of every floor of the castle and its exhibition areas. A press cut according to the order of the castle´s stories facilitates the handling. Throughout the process pictograms were developed for the public service areas of the museum. These were also applied at the façade of the shop and in other parts of the foyer.

Furthermore and to the honor of friends and sponsors of the State Museum, DIA – Dittel Architekten established sponsor tables in the foyer that show the names and logos of the donators. These tables blend in well and restrained into the historical wall of freestone and into the overall picture.