Setting a benchmark for modern, multi-jurisdictional court facilities in regional Victoria, Shepparton Law Courts combines tradition with contemporary design to reflect the civic significance of the justice system and the unique identity of the local community.
Court Services Victoria engaged Humanics Collective to develop a comprehensive wayfinding strategy and signage system. Our task was to support the court’s operational needs while making the building feel calm, intuitive, and accessible for all users. From County Court to VCAT to Children’s Court services, the wayfinding needed to account for complex functional requirements, varied jurisdictional needs, and shifting space allocations.
Project
Shepparton Law Courts
Client
Court Services Victoria
Collaborators
Architectus
GHD Woodhead
Guymer Bailey Architects
Location
Shepparton, Australia
Size
Project Build Cost
Focus
Wayfinding
User Experience
To manage this, we created a coded reception and courtroom numbering system that accommodates changing configurations without sacrificing user clarity. The system allows flexibility across courtrooms, hearing rooms, and shared spaces, ensuring future-proof navigation even as operational needs evolve.
In collaboration with the architectural and interior teams, we designed a suite of signage elements that draw on the local River Red Gum as a reference point. Accent colours inspired by the natural environment provide consistent visual cues, supporting intuitive navigation throughout the building. Material choices, typography, and placement were carefully developed to align with the architecture’s intent: to offer a warm, grounded, and human-centred experience from arrival to exit.
The design of Shepparton Law Courts as a whole reflects these same principles. Its form, finishes, and layout were shaped by local input and guided by a commitment to daylight, natural materials, and openness. From the tree-like timber canopy in the lobby to the intuitive two-courts-per-floor layout, the building sends a clear message: justice can be welcoming, and civic buildings can express care.
Humanics Collective's contribution ensures that this message carries through in every sign, direction, and experience along the way.
