South San Francisco Community Civic Campus

GNU Group partnered with SmithGroup and the City of South San Francisco to develop a comprehensive exterior and interior sign standards and wayfinding program for the newly opened multi-purpose Civic Campus. The campus brings together a Police and Fire Station, City Council Chambers, Community Center, and Public Library—each with distinct user groups, operational needs, and arrival patterns.

Our firm took inspiration from elements found within the building architecture to design and document a complete interior and exterior wayfinding and signage program, including donor recognition elements and digital displays. We developed a cohesive system that creates clear hierarchy and continuity across the campus while responding to the architecture. The program includes exterior and interior wayfinding, donor recognition, and digital displays, ensuring visitors, residents, and staff can orient themselves and move confidently between facilities.

The resulting standards provide the City with a flexible, maintainable framework that supports both daily operations and special events.