Link to slideshow:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1itOtIH8dRQS1SXxO0Enhvf0AyZ258ik0yIfytJQ3E-k/edit?usp=sharing
Everything we mentioned in the presentation...
Where there’s muck there’s brass
Combine with trash meets treasure-recycling centre.
Second Treasures is Wellington City Council’s recycling shop. Consider the potential for waste materials from the landfill being repurposed for spatial typographic communication purposes such as signage or installation in-situ at the Second Treasures site, and also as an off-site system for advertising Second Treasures and the general issues around recycling that it facilitates.
Process of designing way-finding
What is the real problem??
It all looks like trash, no *marked* or coherent system of organisation. How can newcomers identify that it’s a store- where you can turn trash into treasure- repurpose the trash. And also make people aware the store is there and general issues around recycling.
Current signage is unclear and inconsistent, also being mixed between ‘treasures’ some with text also makes it hard to differentiate what is actually intentional. Scattered between items for sale and with no set place or style that is cohesive between each section, leading to a disconnect between all the signage as a whole.
Are there related problems??
The recycling system at the dump- it needs to be a cohesive system.
People also aren’t entirely aware of the extent of what can be recycled or resold within the Second Treasures store, therefore also don’t know what treasures they can source from within the store.
There are also some items that cannot be recycled at the Wellington landfill such as plastic bags, tetra packs and polystyrene. E waste is also a big problem for the landfill, and they are no longer selling any donated CDs. Is there a way that we can work these materials into our final solution?
Is there anything unique about the problem??
We are making a wayfinding system which is usually presented so clean and minimal for a place that does not present this same aesthetic, we don’t want to loose this unique trash eclectic manner of the shop, however we want to present some clear wayfinding.
Gather the Information
Who are the users?
Anyone who uses the dump. All ages, all demographics, poor, crafty, optimistic, patient, thrifty. School groups, families, elderly and young thrift shoppers. May also pay to think of those people that use the site only to drop off their donations and don’t actually shop at the second treasures.
How will they use the site?
To find cheap gems and rare finds, unique stuff, opportunities. Walking traffic mostly.
What will their movement be??
Arrive at the landfill, park in front of and then navigate to the second treasures shop, meander around slowly, spend time nitpicking & sifting, no particular method. Most people may just circle around the shop.
How do they have access to the site and when?
Driving, hard to get there by walking/using public transport, as it's within the Brooklyn hills.
The second Treasures is open 7 days between 9am and 4.30pm. Access to the site is only available during daytime hours, so any lighting etc will be unnecessary.
Does the architecture add or take away from the way finding? pre existing structures that can aid/ hold the wayfinding.
Architecture is neutral and simple, doesn’t necessarily add or take away from wayfinding. Structure is basically a large corrugated iron shed- very tall. The surrounding gate of the shop, and space above the entrance could present some opportunity for spatial type. No standout wayfinding currently but not many other structures to confuse it with. Could hold wayfinding.
Will branding influence the design
No current distinct brand identity, although a distinct ‘thrify’ ‘messy’ ‘recycling/reusing’ identity. Works into the uniqueness of the place in itself and its already established aesthetic qualities and the connotative aspects that work alongside this.
Overview
Issue is that it is hard to navigate, looks like a large shed used to store items rather than selling them. Although the items and interior of the store give it a lot of character, the outside area lacks this character. Spatial type, signage or installations could help create a link between the inside and out to clarify the purpose of the Second Treasures Shop.
Using or trying to in some way incorporate materials that go into landfill could help create signage true to the aesthetic of the shop, and using materials that perhaps can't be recycled could add more meaning, bring awareness and divert a waste stream, ie CD’s… lining up/laser cutting CDs, polystyrene, plastic bags and tetra packs. An item not able to be repurposed/recycled/sold, only going into the landfill.
Because the higher areas of the second treasure shop are cluttered with items, it could be useful to also utilize the open floor area that goes throughout the shop, perhaps for directional wayshowing etc.
Best practice in benchmarking; what is out there?
Precedents
I thought this could be quite a cool idea for the backing/board of a sign.. Obviously this is different bits of wood but I was thinking it would be cool if we used other types of material that are flat and compile them together like this. You get a real bitsy bopsy feel (reflects the shop well) for something that looks quite resolved and clean.
Also for more of an installation type thing for advertising off site, these little spheres made of junk are quite quirky and cool.
Another Precedent:
I thought we could use this as an example because of its placement- its shed-like environment is exactly like our second treasures store- and adds a recycled old fashioned feel.
Another Precedent:
There are more examples of this use of typography/pun on the link - it’s a funny way to make use of things people wouldn’t usually want, to convey the idea that there’s more to the objects than you might initially think. Appeals to the ‘opportunistic’ side of customers of the second treasures shop
Floor based Wayshowing:
Some floor based wayshowing could help cut through the clutter of the space and work as a good navigational tool to create traffic flow throughout the store. Clean lines. 
Colour swatches
Bright colours to stand out against the homogenous junk colours - fun and eye catching. Good for newcomers trying to orient themselves.
Could be useful to use a limited colour scheme as not to add to the clutter that is already present in the shop. Using one of two of these bright colours in wayshowing
Photos for class map:
Navigational
Already put it up on the google map, it’s the ‘you found me’ one, I just took a photo of a house number to show ‘a sign that tells you you’ve got somewhere’
Put up photos of basic wayfinding for parking and stores in the Top of Tory shopping area.
Placemaking/ Narrative
Possible place making opportunities
I wasn’t too sure about this so I just took photos of areas that I thought would act as a good canvas for spatial type around Wellington…
NOTES FROM PRESENTATION
Think about organising the actual shop a bit
Think about actual view of the shop from when people first come into the landfill/recycling depot, from where/ what point can they actually see the second treasures?
