Times City, a sprawling 200,000m2 community nestled in the heart of vibrant Hanoi, stands as a beacon of modern living in Vietnam. Boasting eleven residential towers, a state-of-the-art hospital, an esteemed college, a primary school, a captivating aquarium, a bustling cinema complex, and an expansive sub-ground retail space housing over 200 tenants, alongside two levels of parking facilities, Times City offers a multifaceted urban experience.

Despite its array of offerings, the community faced significant navigational challenges, from vehicular congestion on the podium level to unclear access points and poorly defined routes. 

Our task was to enhance accessibility and streamline wayfinding throughout the shopping centre, catering to both residents and visitors alike.

Conducting extensive on-site analysis and user mapping, we delved into the intricacies of the site and its diverse user groups, identifying key circulation patterns and desired pathways. An overarching strategy emerged, leveraging major tenants to redirect vehicular traffic, optimising car park circulation, and delineating clear access points between residential areas and retail spaces.

To unify and enhance navigation, we developed a bespoke system of bilingual wayfinding signage, seamlessly incorporating a pattern language inspired by the Vincom logo mark. The result was a comprehensive system that not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid the foundation for a cohesive and intuitive navigation experience across the broader community.

The success of the system was palpable, with Vincom expressing interest in implementing the signage design across their other retail centres, underscoring its effectiveness and potential for broader application.