Case Analysis of Wayfinding Design for Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

I. Project Background

Queenstown Airport is the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand and serves as the gateway to New Zealand's southern region. With an annual passenger throughput of over 2.14 million, it is of vital importance to Queens town, where tourism is the economic backbone, providing services to a large number of visitors.

2. Analysis of Key Design Points

Three - Dimensional Signage at the Entrance

Visual Identity ability:Inspired by Queens town's "alpine lake" landscape, the 3D signage's outline is abstracted from the winding shoreline of Lake Wakatipu. The gradient blue acrylic surface mimics the lake's shimmering waves, while the base features a metal relief of the Southern Alps, creating a landmark image of "blending mountains and water."

Material and Craftsmanship: The main body is made of weather-resistant aluminum alloy and covered with a UV-printed gradient acrylic board. At night, with the built-in LED light strips, it presents a dynamic light and shadow effect of "the starry sky reflected on the lake surface", and its recognition rate reaches 92% from a distance of 2 kilometers.

3.Summary of Design Effects

The wayfinding design of Queenstown Airport in New Zealand takes "visual translation of regional culture, multilingual efficiency optimization, and harmonious symbiosis with natural landscapes" as its core objectives. Through the integrated design of three-dimensional signage, floor directional signs, way finding signs, and cabinet systems, it has created an aviation hub way finding system that combines cultural distinctiveness, international versatility, and environmental affinity. The project not only solves the problem of large passenger flows during the tourism peak season but also becomes an innovative model of "cultural landscape-oriented way finding" for small and medium-sized airports globally.

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Case Interpretation Designer:

Myra

Publisher:

 Charcy

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