Map Depositary Ideas

To start off designing the 'labyrinth' I split the site into a grid of 1400x1400mm - a size large enough for an A0 filing cabinet and room for structure around it. 

I wanted the labyrinth to feel random, not at all organised. To create a random layout, I started off simple... flipping two coins. Whichever side heads was on dictated whether the path went left or right. If the two coins ended up both heads, or neither heads, the path continued straight on. The path was 2800mm wide, i.e. wide enough for two map cabinets to be wheeled past each other.

This process was lengthy but created very random layouts. After browsing for a map, members of the public would meet a librarian at the lift and follow them into the labyrinth to collect their map. The void areas in the map would be reading rooms, where people could study the cartography.

To inspire the aesthetic, I watch the film 'Labyrinth' (1986). One thing I noticed was the use of brick throughout the entire labyrinth. This consistent use of the same material helps the monotonous feel, and the maze-like effect, helping the characters become lost inside. Another thing I noticed was the use of artificial lighting in the underground tunnels, providing (in this case) specific lighting for the film.

I did numerous lighting experiments, and settled on two final lighting strategies.

1) Lighting in sections, fitting in with the grid structure.

2) Lighting in the end of each corridor, above each corner.

I think both are successful, and could be used together. For instance, natural lighting via a light pipe above each corner in the labyrinth, and motion sensitive lighting meaning that once you head towards the end of the corridor, lights above guide you through. The monotonous approach means that at a subterranean crossroads each direction would look equally spooky.  

I also considered a completely brick structure, similar to underground wine cellars; but decided the steel structure helped dictate the grid layout. Wine cellars are a common form of underground storage and provided some interesting lighting studies, as did converted nuclear shelters and tunnels. Lighting in subterranean environments is extremely important, and there are a number of places to provide lighting: