Blue room with emergency radio setup and wall instructions for contacting a dispatcher

Bomb shelter wayfinding system

Concept wayfinding system for bomb shelter in Kyiv

Wayfinding | Interior | Icon system

This project redefines the visual and functional language of bomb shelter network, addressing the urgent need for clarity, cohesion, and target user comfort in high-stress environments. Research revealed a disjointed debatable system: inconsistent signage, absence of a design code, and psychologically taxing conditions amplified by faded colours and non-durable materials. In response, the system was reimagined to deliver both emotional relief and navigational precision.

Key features include:

  • A bright pastel colour palette, selected to reduce stress and shift the atmosphere away from gloom.
  • A colour-coded zoning system, applied across architectural plans and physical spaces to simplify orientation.
  • A custom icon set rooted in the geometry of the Frutiger typeface, balancing legibility with aesthetic cohesion.
  • High-durability materials chosen to resist rust, mould, and delamination, which are common issues in long-unmaintained shelters.

The result is a scalable, psychologically aware design framework that brings structure, safety, and dignity to critical public spaces.

Exterior rendering of a shelter building with yellow directional signage
Interior floor plan of the shelter with color-coded rooms and labels
Set of black and white pictograms for shelter signage including restrooms, food, and emergency symbols
Color-coded navigation signs in Ukrainian for various shelter areas
Signage layout with dimensions and text for shelter areas in Ukrainian and English
Workroom sign mockup with icons, layout guides, and bilingual text
Color palette for shelter interior design, showing primary and accent tones
Rendered interior of a shelter room with green walls and rows of stacked beds
Waiting room with green walls, seating area, and signage reading "Читай. Read."
Wall with headphones and music therapy instructions titled "Слухай. Listen."
Shelter wall with breathing instructions in Ukrainian and English titled "Дихай. Breathe."
Large room filled with rows of empty beds and signage on the far wall
Dimly lit interior with green emergency lighting and rows of beds
Diagram showing height guidelines for installing shelter signs and text for accessibility
Shelter interior with rows of beds, mint green walls, and wall text titled "Слухай. Listen."
Materials board showing textures and surfaces for shelter walls and floors