the challenge

Carnegie Mellon University desired a re-envisioned arrival experience for visitors, students, staff, patients, and families to the new Innovation District and hub building that started with its Tepper Quadrangle and David A. Tepper School of Business building. It needed to be welcoming, easy to navigate, and evoke the university’s signature brand. 

the solution

Kolar developing a “Highway to Hallway” strategy for the campus that included integration with PDOT Highway and City of Pittsburgh signage systems as well as a comprehensive exterior wayfinding, parking (public and private) and interior signage system. Three key principles guided the approach: 1) create a modular, affordable, and maintainable system; 2) connect the “communi-versity “ through a dynamic wayfinding experience by simplifying the campus gateway strategy and parking masterplans; and 3) enhance the new Carnegie Mellon brand and its signature red square, three-dimensionally, digitally, and through all communication for all stakeholders campus-wide.