HomePart 3 of Inclusive Exhibition Design Toolkit

Circulation and rest

Image of a long view through the Living with Buildings exhibition showing clear circulation and regular seating with wide spaces around objects in cases and on walls.
Living with Buildings, Thomas S.G. Farnetti. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Principles for circulation and flow

We aim to create well-paced exhibitions with easy visitor flow. We want visitors to feel confident and comfortable whether visiting independently, socially or as part of an organised group tour. 

Design should not exclude any visitor from circulating through any part of the exhibition.

This means we aim to provide:

  • Clear and generous circulation routes to all areas of the exhibition
  • Good eyelines through the exhibition space
  • No trip hazards, level changes or floor surfaces that cannot be navigated by all visitors
  • Well-lit circulation routes
  • Regular opportunities to rest, positioned within the exhibition flow
  • Rest points in a range of styles to suit different preferences and needs
  • Signposts to state the nature of any explicit or distressing content, or human remains. In such cases we also consider providing visitors with opportunities to step out of the exhibition flow

Guidelines and measurements for circulation

Illustrated bird’s-eye view of an exhibition showing a minimum width of 1500 mm (1.5 metres) between any wall, case or plinth.
Illustrated bird’s-eye view of an exhibition.

Illustrated bird’s-eye view of an exhibition showing a minimum width of 1500 mm (1.5 metres) between any wall, case or plinth.

  • All circulation routes should be a minimum width of 1500 mm at every point
  • Where an exhibition includes objects requiring low lighting, designers should ensure that circulation routes are well-lit
  • If blackout or very low lighting is required for an installation (such as a film viewing space), designers should ensure that there is floor lighting or high-contrast marking or a high-contrast hand rail to guide visitors and to highlight seating
  • Transparent partitions should be clearly marked using high-contrast manifestations
  • Care should be taken with surfaces that may be confusing or disorienting (such as mirrored or semi-opaque wall materials)

Guidelines and measurements for floor surfaces

  • Floor surfaces should be slip-resistant, stable and even
  • Carpet must be secured and have a low-level pile
  • Transitions between floor surfaces should be secured and either flat or chamfered
  • Consider using floors to mark routes through spaces, such as adding tactile lines to help blind and visually impaired visitors around an exhibition

Guidelines and measurements for level changes and ramps

Changes in level can cause problems for many people and should be avoided where possible.

Where used, ramps should:

  • Not be steeper than 1:15
  • Have a minimum width of 1500 mm
  • Have a non-slip and high-contrast surface
  • Have handrails that are: continuous on each side along the ramp; fixed to the structure and strong enough to support individuals; positioned 900–1000 mm above floor level; easy to grip, able to be held comfortably and leant upon, and either round or elliptical

Trip hazards and obstacles

  • Objects mounted at floor level should be highlighted with high-contrast floor markings. If mounted on low-level plinths (up to 150 mm), the plinth edges should have good visual contrast with the floor
  • Objects mounted on walls or ceilings, at a level that can’t be detected by the sweep of a cane (above 300 mm), should be marked out or guarded. Consider means of continuing or connecting the structure down to floor level
  • Low-level barriers are difficult to detect in a crowded exhibition and should be avoided. If they are required, consider how to make them as visible as possible, for example by creating good visual contrast with their surroundings and clearly indicating them with signage

Principles for seating and rest points

Image showing a range of seating types in the Misbehaving Bodies exhibition including single seats with and without back rests and soft seating to allow visitors to lie down or sit on the floor.
Misbehaving Bodies seating, Thomas S.G. Farnetti. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Visitors should be able to rest at regular intervals. We usually aim to position seating so that visitors can continue to be immersed in the exhibition experience and remain part of its flow.

  • When deciding the positions of seating, consider the relationship between the visitor’s experience of the exhibition and the need for regular rest points
  • If an exhibition’s content is highly sensitive or powerful, it may be helpful to create an opportunity to rest that is outside of the flow
  • Seating should be easy to identify and locate. Seats should look like seating and should be in good visual contrast with their surroundings
  • Time-based content of more than ten minutes long requires seating
  • In spaces with low lighting or in blackout screening spaces, consider using light or bright colours, luminous edging or LED lighting to make seating as visible as possible
  • Bench seating should allow space for a minimum of two seats and one wheelchair side by side
  • Seating often provides visitors an opportunity to read a large-print guide or transcript, so ensure that seating is well-lit

If a design is successful and robust, we will keep it for future refurbishment and reuse.

Guidelines and measurements for seating design

Diagrammatic illustration of a bench seat annotated with preferred measurements: seat height range 450–550 mm; seat depth 280–420 mm; arm rest at one end and part back rest of 200 mm high.
Diagrammatic illustration of a bench seat annotated with preferred measurements.

Diagrammatic illustration of a bench seat annotated with preferred measurements.

  • Seating should be stable
  • Seats should be firm but not hard
  • Seating should incorporate an armrest to act as a support point for people to lower themselves and rise out. Armrests should be approximately 200 mm above seat height. Some seating should also include a back support
  • We recommend a seat height of 450–550 mm and seat depth of 280–420 mm
  • We aim to provide visitors with a flexible range of rest types, such as perches with a seat height of 650–800 mm, cushions or places in which it may be possible to lie down

More from Inclusive Exhibition Design Toolkit

Part1

Our design vision

Introducing our toolkit for creating inclusive and accessible exhibitions.

Part2

Threshold and signage

Create thresholds and signage to help our visitors feel welcomed and confident.

Part4

Object display

Detailed points to contemplate when designing beautiful, accessible displays.

Part5

Audiovisual work

Positioning, measurements and guidelines for the project team to consider.

Part6

Lighting

All about designing lighting that will help visitors navigate an exhibition with confidence.

Part7

Exhibition texts

The elements to consider when producing exhibition texts, including labels and panels.

Part8

Gallery guides and large-print guides

Making key elements in gallery guides consistent in style.

Part9

Accessible and multisensory interpretation

About providing layered interpretation of exhibitions in a range of formats.

Part10

Thanks

Thank you to our contributors, consultants and critical friends who have been essential in informing and shaping this research.