Where clarity meets purpose, in a landmark of science and public health
Humanics Collective is developing the wayfinding and signage strategy for the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID), working closely with Wardle, the project’s lead architect. This major new facility is under construction in Melbourne’s biomedical precinct and will bring together the University of Melbourne, the Doherty Institute, and the Burnet Institute into a purpose-built research and translational health hub.
Project
Australian Institute for Infectious Disease
Client
Wardle Architects
Collaborators
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Size
Project Build Cost
Focus
Wardle’s design sets a new benchmark for high-performance research environments that remain grounded in human experience. The form is striking yet purposeful, with horizontal banding that signals the building’s layered program: public spaces, research facilities, dry labs, high-containment zones, and an outreach-focused rooftop. Natural, low-carbon materials and fine-grain detailing carry through the exterior and interiors, creating a sense of calm and cohesion throughout.
Our wayfinding system has been developed in direct response to this architectural clarity. From public arrival zones to restricted lab levels, signage and environmental information are carefully integrated into the spatial fabric. Rather than layering signage over the architecture, we’re embedding cues that guide effortlessly—supporting both operational needs and intuitive movement.
The project supports more than 1,000 researchers, clinicians, public health experts, and students. That diversity of users means clarity, accessibility and legibility are non-negotiables. We're designing a system that handles complexity behind the scenes, so that users can focus on their task, their visit, or their research—without getting lost in the process.
Still under development, the signage and wayfinding strategy continues to evolve in tandem with the architectural detailing and operational planning. It is a long-term, collaborative process—exactly what a building of this calibre deserves.
