Defining wayfinding design principles for the new Amsterdam Airport Schiphol pier & terminal, through conceptual design as a case study

Abstract

A new pier and terminal at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport provides the opportunity for Schiphol Group to review aspects of design at the current terminal and innovate. One of these aspects is information & wayfinding (I&W). Wayfinding is closely related to the overall satisfaction of passengers at the airport, and therefore an essential part of airport design. Schiphol Group has established a vision on I&W, which for the design of the new pier and terminal is translated into top-level requirements. This vision, together with earlier research into passenger journeys and I&W have established a strategic vision on what intuitive wayfinding is. This thesis builds on this knowledge in order to define design principles for wayfinding at Schiphol, that can be used by Schiphol Group to specify requirements and explain them to designing parties.