CAMH

Toronto, ON

Services

Environmental Graphic Design

Deliverables

Signage
Wayfinding
Placemaking
Masterplan
Donor Recognition
Illustration

Moving people through a holistic wayfinding approach

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital. CAMH drives innovative research, provides expert training to healthcare professionals, and advocates for social change. Working alongside Stantec and Acumen Visual Group, we developed a holistic wayfinding approach at CAMH’s Queen Street site to fully integrate two new CAMH campus buildings – Building B1 (McCain Complex Care & Recovery Building) and Building D1 (Crisis & Critical Care Building).

Person walking down stairs next to a directory sign at CAMH.

Clear and simple direction

Creating a welcoming sense of belonging

The wayfinding program uses critical campus points to help patients, workers and visitors reach their intended destinations safely and with clarity throughout the day. Signage recognizing the generous donors and their contributions is celebrated proudly in the newly built Crisis & Critical Care and McCain Complex Care & Recovery buildings.⁠

CAMH Crisis & Critical Care Building entrance with glass facade and signage.

A new beginning for community care

CAMH McCain Complex Care & Recovery Building entrance with a bare tree in front.

Contribution as identity

CAMH sign for Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan Emergency Department.

Campus navigation

CAMH sign with directions to Garron Family Building and Crisis & Critical Care Building.

Expressing subtle brand cues with wayfinding

Improving the movement and flow of people in the space

The interior signage program for the new CAMH campus buildings improves the flow and movement of people throughout the space, as patients, visitors and staff have the tools they require to self-navigate the buildings. The signage welcomes the community and encourages people to utilize the building’s many resources.

Sign for Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit A, with French translation.

Place and colour help inform wayfinding

Restroom sign with symbols for transgender, toilet, wheelchair, and changing table.

Patient room sign with number 5141 and QR code.

Gender inclusivity and secure mounting are key features

Interior view of the Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan Emergency Department with signage and doors.

Creating calm with hierarchy of information

Hand-drawn expressions depicting the people of CAMH

Vibrant murals featuring hand-drawn characters accompanied the written words of donors at the Ossington and Queen Street Campus.⁠⁠ A wall for each department – representing the patients, the caregivers and the staff at CAMH – was thoughtfully designed and placed the patient’s unique journey at the forefront of one’s experience.