Developing a wayfinding scheme for the National Library of Wales meant working sensitively within a Grade II listed Portland stone building, navigating the needs of a diverse and international visitor audience, and meeting a dual-language obligation that sits at the very heart of what the Library represents.
The result is a scheme that is both about navigation and sense of place.
About the Client
The National Library of Wales is one of the country’s most important cultural institutions and one of only six legal deposit libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland, entitled to receive a copy of every publication produced in Britain and Ireland. Holding over seven million items — including manuscripts, maps, photographs, films, sound recordings and printed works — it exists to preserve and provide access to Wales’ documentary heritage for researchers, visitors and future generations. Set within an iconic Portland stone building overlooking Aberystwyth, the Library welcomes a diverse national and international audience while operating as both a public destination and a working archive.
The project presented an exciting opportunity to develop a wayfinding system for one of Wales’ most significant civic buildings, balancing modern accessibility requirements with respect for its architectural character and historic importance.
The Challenge
The existing signage had evolved incrementally over time, resulting in inconsistencies in style, hierarchy and placement that made it difficult for visitors to navigate with confidence. This created an opportunity to replace a piecemeal collection of signs with a considered, cohesive wayfinding system that better reflected the quality of the building and the National Library’s identity.
Working within a Grade II listed building added a significant layer of constraint to the project. Every fixings method, penetration and surface treatment required careful consideration to avoid damage to the historic fabric, and all proposals were developed in close consultation with the client to ensure compliance with the building’s listed status. The brief demanded a wayfinding solution that was robust and permanent without being intrusive.
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The new scheme also needed to meet the statutory bilingual requirements of the Welsh Language Standards, improve accessibility throughout the building and provide a robust, future-proof system capable of adapting as departments and facilities evolve.
Our Approach
Our objective was to create a wayfinding scheme that felt like an extension of the building’s architecture rather than an applied layer.
Inspired by the extensive use of Portland stone throughout the Library, we developed a material-led design that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings while reinforcing the building’s permanence and craftsmanship. A consistent family of sign types was created using Portland stone, 10mm toughened glass and a refined typographic hierarchy, ensuring the scheme remained elegant, accessible and intuitive throughout.
Alongside the premium concept, we developed a value-engineered alternative that retained the same visual language and typographic system while reducing material costs. Both options were presented to the client with full cost and specification information, allowing an informed decision based on budget and priorities rather than a single prescribed solution.
The Bilingual Requirement
The National Library of Wales is subject to the Welsh Language Standards under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. Standards 62 and 142 are unambiguous: Welsh text must appear above or to the left of English on every sign – positional precedence is a statutory requirement, not a preference. Welsh and English must also be given equal visual prominence in terms of font size, weight and colour.
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For this client, the requirement carries meaning beyond compliance. The Library exists to preserve Welsh language and culture, making Welsh the natural primary language of the scheme. The design challenge was to give Welsh the required positional priority, accommodate longer Welsh terms within panel layouts, and ensure both languages read with equal clarity – without either feeling secondary.
Design & Delivery Process
The project began with a comprehensive audit of the existing signage, reviewing visitor circulation, key decision points and the effectiveness of the wayfinding system.
From these findings, our designers developed a complete family of wayfinding sign types, carefully considering materiality, scale, accessibility and architectural integration throughout. A colour-coded floor identification system was developed to aid orientation across the building’s multiple levels, with each floor assigned a distinct colour applied consistently across all sign types at that level. Particular attention was given to how each wayfinding element related to the Library’s Portland stone fabric, ensuring the wayfinding system complemented rather than competed with the surrounding architecture.
Following design approval, the project progressed through detailed product design, manufacture and installation. Bespoke Portland stone elements were produced in collaboration with our sister company, combining traditional stonemasonry with modern manufacturing techniques to create a durable, high-quality wayfinding system.
The Result
The completed scheme provides the National Library of Wales with a cohesive and accessible wayfinding system that complements one of the country’s most significant public buildings.
By drawing directly from the Library’s architectural language, the wayfinding scheme enhances the environment while delivering clear, intuitive navigation for visitors and staff. The use of Portland stone creates a distinctive identity unique to the building, while Welsh-first bilingual messaging, colour-coded floor identification and inclusivity standard compliant design ensure the system is accessible for all.
Delivered entirely in-house, the project demonstrates our ability to provide a complete end-to-end wayfinding service, from initial audit and concept design through to manufacture, installation and project delivery.
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Materials Used
- Portland stone
- 10mm toughened glass panels
- Powder-coated aluminium
- Digital printed graphics
- Hidden fixings
Bespoke Portland stone elements were manufactured in collaboration with our sister company, combining traditional stonemasonry with modern production techniques to create a durable, architecturally integrated wayfinding system.
Services Provided
- Wayfinding audit
- Wayfinding design
- Wayfinding sign family development
- Information hierarchy
- Bilingual wayfinding design
- Accessibility and DDA compliance
- Product design
- Material specification
- Bespoke illustration mapping (in collaboration with Andco Studio)
- Bespoke icon design (in collaboration with Andco Studio)
- Graphic artwork
- Project management
- Manufacture
- Installation
- Portland stone production (in collaboration with our sister company Mossfords)
If you’d like to find out more about anything featured in this article, just reach out to us on info@morgansconsult.com / 02920 672828.
