10.2190/XUV4-GN4A-L43Q-JV6U XUV4GN4AL43QJV6U 1 Wayfinding in an Educational Facility Comparing Handicapper and Non-Handicapper Perception and Behavior: Part II 245 277 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 XUV4GN4AL43QJV6U.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=XUV4GN4AL43QJV6U 4 Roberta L. Kilty-Padgett College of Human Ecology, Michigan State University This report addresses use and meaning in relation to wayfinding in the Chatterjee Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) building at Michigan State University. An approximately equal number of handicappers with mobility handicaps (<i>N</i> = 16) and non-handicappers (<i>N</i> = 20) volunteered to follow building scenarios prior to questionnaire completion. Additionally, sixty-one randomly chosen building users were interviewed in a shorter version of the questionnaire to reflect everyday facility usage. The multimethod technique described includes code checklist, scenario instructions and interview questions. No significant differences in wayfinding or building performance based on opinions and behavior of handicappers and non-handicappers were found. Building familiarity was not a critical factor. Using backtrack frequency as the indicator of lostness, 97 percent of all scenario participants became lost at least once. Difficulties in finding specific destinations centered around the adequacy of information provided by building form, directories, signage, and receptionist(s). R. Kilty-Padgett, User Preference and Meaning in an Educational Facility: Part I, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 17</i>:1, pp. 1-13, 1987-88. K. Lynch, <i>The Image of the City</i>, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1960. G. D. Weisman, <i>Way finding in the Built Environment: A Study in Architectural Legibility</i>, doctoral dissertation, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, pp. 1-155, 1979. J. Weisman, Evaluating Architectural Legibility, Way-Finding in the Built Environment, <i>Environment and Behavior, 13</i>:2, pp. 189-204, 1981. G. A. Best, Direction-Finding in Large Buildings, in <i>Architectural Psychology</i>, D. V. Canter (ed.), RIBA Publications, London, pp. 72-75, 1969. P. B. Beaumont, J. Gray, G. T. Moore, and B. Robinson, Orientation and Wayfinding in the Tauranga Departmental Building: A Focused Post-Occupancy Evaluation, in <i>EDRA 15 Proceedings</i>, D. Duerk and D. Campbell (eds.), EDRA, Inc., Washington, D. C., pp. 77-90, 1984. C. Zimring and J. Templer, Wayfinding and Orientation by the Visually Impaired, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 13</i>:4, pp. 333-352, 1984. D. Appleyard, Why Buildings Are Known: A Predictive Tool for Architects and Planners, <i>Environment and Behavior, 1</i>, pp. 131-156, 1969. G. W. Evans, J. Fellow, M. Zorn, and K. Doty, Cognitive Mapping and Architecture, <i>Journal of Applied Psychology, 65</i>:4, pp. 474-478, 1980. T. Gärling, E. Lindberg, and T. Mäntylä, Orientation in Buildings: Effects of Familiarity, Visual Access, and Orientation Aids, <i>Journal of Applied Psychology, 68</i>:1, pp. 177-186, 1983. T. Gärling and E. Lindberg, Postoccupancy Evaluation of Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding, in <i>EDRA 15 Proceedings</i>, D. Duerk and D. Campbell (eds.), EDRA, Inc., Washington, D. C., pp. 91-99, 1984. R. Passini, Wayfinding: A Conceptual Framework, <i>Man-Environment Systems, 10</i>:1, pp. 22-30, 1980. R. Passini, <i>Wayfinding in Architecture</i>, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY, pp. 1-220, 1984. T. Gärling, A. Böök, and E. Lindberg, Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding in the Designed Environment—A Conceptual Analysis and Some Suggestions for Postoccupancy Evaluation, <i>Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 3</i>, pp. 55-64, 1986. ANSI A117.1, <i>Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by Physically Handicapped People</i>, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY, 1961 (rev. 1971, 1980). <i>Michigan Barrier Free Design Requirements</i>, November 1979. <i>Michigan State University's Construction Standards</i>, July 1978. C. M. Zimring and J. E. Reizenstein, Post-Occupancy Evaluation: An Overview, <i>Environment and Behavior, 12</i>:4, pp. 429-450, 1980. R. Passini, Wayfinding in Complex Buildings: An Environmental Analysis, <i>Man-Environment Systems, 10</i>:1, pp. 31-40, 1980. G. W. Evans, Environmental Cognition, <i>Psychological Bulletin, 88</i>:2, pp. 259-287, 1980.