Ramsey County Courthouse
Written by Max Gouette
Problem
Ramsey County is home to Minnesota’s capital city and is one of the densest counties in the nation. With their abundance of county-owned buildings, they needed a way to provide information to their diverse population. They had an old directory sign that was costly to update and required constant maintenance. What made this more difficult was that the building was on the National Register of Historic Places. They were looking for a wayfinding solution that was easy to understand, easy to maintain, and could be presented in multiple languages.
Solution
Ramsey County decided to go digital and installed three wayfinding kiosks inside the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown St. Paul. Nestled in between beautiful marble walls and the brass trim that surrounds it lie 3 metal BSC enclosures. Inside, you’ll find three 55” LG touchscreen TVs. The sleek metal kiosks contrast with the classical architecture and make it easy for all people to locate where they’re going. The touchscreen allows users to choose their native language, find the office they wish to visit, and get a step-by-step guide on how to walk to their destination.
Aftermath
Residents of Ramsey County have enjoyed the easy-to-use wayfinders, and county staff have expressed how much they enjoy the new kiosks. They’ve been described as a massive time saver. Residents no longer must find an employee to give them directions. Contractors can enter the building swiftly, and maintenance staff no longer need to spend time creating and swapping entries on a traditional directory. It has also made the courthouse safer with the new ability to transmit information to the kiosks in the event of an emergency.
