St Cross Hospital
We partnered with St Cross Hospital to design, supply, and install a complete wayfinding system across this historic NHS site. The project required a full overhaul of both internal and external signage to unify the expanded hospital campus, improving navigation for patients, visitors, and staff whilst maintaining accessibility and inclusivity throughout.
Divisions involved
Client overview
St Cross Hospital in Rugby is a historic NHS site that has developed and expanded over time to offer various comprehensive healthcare services. As the hospital grew, the signage became outdated with a mixture of old and new systems that were no longer fit for purpose, requiring a unified approach to wayfinding across the entire campus.
Key goals
Project brief
We were commissioned by the Trust to design, implement, and install a comprehensive wayfinding system that would tie the entire site together. The project involved a complete review of existing signage, site surveys to develop new structures and site maps, and close collaboration with multiple stakeholder groups including the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group, NHS communications team, and site estates team.
Key objectives
Solutions
Integrated wayfinding strategy
The overall signage strategy addressed the complexities of a large healthcare environment, connecting multiple buildings, departments and external areas into a more cohesive wayfinding system.
Colour-led navigation
A structured colour system was introduced across key areas of the site, providing visual cues to support navigation through parking areas, buildings and directional signage.
Coordinated mapping and signage
Mapping, directional signage and visual identifiers were carefully integrated across internal and external environments to create a more consistent navigation experience.
Flexible signage infrastructure
A range of adaptable signage formats was introduced across the site, providing a flexible system that could accommodate changing requirements and future updates.
Visual showcase / Deliverables
Results
Implementation
- Included in this project
Plan
We were involved from the start of the project, conducting initial reviews of current signage and comprehensive site surveys. Working closely with the Trust and multiple stakeholder groups, we developed a new structure and site map that incorporated feedback from the PPI group regarding current difficulties faced by patients and visitors.
- Included in this project
Design
The design process focused on creating a unified system using colour-coding to divide the site into four zones. We finalised the directional map designs and determined optimal placement for both internal and external signage. The modular system was designed to be futureproof, allowing easy updates without complete replacement.
- Included in this project
Deliver
We manufactured a comprehensive range of signage including interchangeable modular systems, architectural tray signage, internal and external totems, and wayfinding maps. Throughout production, we liaised regularly with the NHS communications team to ensure patients and staff were kept informed of the project timeline.
- Included in this project
Install
Despite challenging weather conditions during one of the coldest weeks of the year, our team successfully completed the installation across the entire site. The modular signs incorporated the colour-coding system seamlessly from car park through to individual departments.
- Not included in this project
Upgrade
We refresh your existing setup, extending its life and keeping it current as your brand evolves and technology moves on.
Key learnings
- Design around real user needs: Involving patients and public groups early can reveal navigation challenges that may not be apparent from operational perspectives alone.
- Simplify complex environments: Large healthcare sites benefit from clear visual systems that help people understand where they are and where they need to go.
- Build flexibility into the system: Modular signage allows information to be updated over time without requiring wholesale changes to the wider wayfinding infrastructure.
- Consider the journey as a whole: Effective wayfinding needs to connect external areas, entrances, buildings and departments into one consistent experience.
- Communicate throughout delivery: Regular engagement with staff and stakeholders helps manage expectations and supports smoother implementation within a live healthcare environment.