Aligned to Deliver
Delivered through a rigorous Public-Private Partnership (P3) under the Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM) model, the project required strict compliance with Nova Scotia Health standards, compressed construction timelines, and coordination across multiple stakeholders spanning design, construction, and operations. Working in close collaboration with EllisDon, Parkin, and FBM Architecture, Cygnus contributed from early schematic design through to post-occupancy refinements. This continuity ensured the wayfinding system met evolving clinical needs, aligned with architectural intent, and remained adaptable to stakeholder input. The result is a program that balances regulatory compliance with usability, delivering clear, accessible navigation within a complex and high-accountability delivery model.
Arrival Experience
To ensure immediate recognition and reduce stress upon arrival, Cygnus designed a signage strategy focused on visibility, durability, and integration. Large-scale illuminated identifiers were positioned for maximum legibility from key approach points, using precision-cut aluminum panels and push-through acrylic lettering to ensure clarity in all lighting conditions. Structural supports were engineered for local environmental loads, and concealed electrical connections maintained a clean, integrated appearance within the canopy and facade systems, reinforcing both the building’s identity and the wayfinding system from the outset.
Award-Winning
The wayfinding system at Bayers Lake was designed in close collaboration with Parkin and FBM Architecture to align seamlessly with the building’s interiors. Signage placement, scale, and finishes were coordinated with sightlines, circulation, and material choices to create intuitive navigation that felt at home within the architecture. The result is a minimal, cohesive environment that supports patient comfort and operational efficiency, contributing to the facility receiving Gold awards at the 2023 International Interior Design Awards and 2024 Urban Design & Architecture Design Awards.
Accessible Visual Language
The wayfinding system uses distinct departmental colours and patterns, each refined to optimise visual accessibility. Cygnus Worked with interior designers to refine a tapestry-inspired colour pattern that complements each department’s specific finishes, while ensuring it meets accessibility requirements and best practices. These refinements enhanced the clarity of visual cues, making it easier to distinguish destinations and aiding navigation for visitors with varied visual abilities or language barriers.
Photography Credit:
Julian Parkinson
