Wayfinding and Spatial Orientation in Museums: Case Study the Acropolis Museum

This study explores the critical role of wayfinding and spatial orientation in enhancing visitor experience within museum environments, focusing on the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece. Wayfinding, understood as the cognitive and physical process of navigating through space, is a vital component of museum design, directly influencing visitor engagement, interpretation of exhibits, and overall satisfaction. The objective of this research is to examine how the Acropolis Museum facilitates intuitive navigation through its architectural design, signage systems, and spatial layout. The field of research in which wayfinding is situated refers to the way people move in reaction to environmental stimulation. It therefore fully concerns not just signage but also space designing, its geometric configuration, technical solutions and their material characterization. Designing a museum is a challenge that requires the skill collaboration and creativity of the architect. With the right approach, the museum can become a space that not only serves to preserve and exhibit cultural heritage, but also offers a unique experience to its visitors. The methodology of this study is based on on-site observations of the overall tour route of the Acropolis Museum, as designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi, spatial analysis, as well as interviews with visitors. It also explores the way in which architectural features of the museum, such as natural lighting, optical corridors and the alignment of the exhibition spaces with the view of the monuments of the Acropolis rock, contribute to spatial legibility. In addition, the existing signage of the museum is evaluated, as a supporting means of accessibility of the exhibits by visitors. Finally, issues related to areas that need improvement, such as the accessibility of the Museum, including the space inclusive design, for instance, are particularly highlighted.