The Anatomy of a Good Digital Building Directory

A digital building directory serves as the central hub for tenants, visitors, and property managers. Its main objective is to simplify navigation, provide essential information, and promote the property’s amenities. A well-designed directory should be user-friendly, visually appealing, and packed with useful features. Let’s break down the essential elements that should be featured on the home screen of a top-tier digital building directory.

 

1. Date and Time

The basics of a good directory start with providing the current date and time. It’s a subtle but essential feature that helps users quickly orient themselves without needing to check their devices.

Best Practices:

• Display prominently at the top of the screen.
• Automatically update in real-time.
• Include multiple time zones if the building caters to international businesses.

 

2. Local Weather

Providing local weather updates on the home screen is a simple yet valuable feature. It’s especially useful in larger buildings where people might be planning outdoor activities or need to commute.

Best Practices:

• Display the current temperature, weather conditions, and forecasts.
• Include hourly and daily predictions for those planning ahead.
• Feature icons for different weather states (sunny, cloudy, rainy) for quick visual recognition.

 

 

3. Local Traffic Conditions

Traffic data offers real-time information for tenants and visitors, especially those commuting to and from the building. Including this data helps users avoid delays and plan their trips more efficiently.

Best Practices:

• Integrate traffic feeds from trusted sources like Google or local traffic agencies.
• Display real-time maps, road conditions, and estimated travel times.
• Option to view traffic details on main roads surrounding the property.

 

4. Public Transit Schedules

For buildings located in urban areas, a quick glimpse of public transit schedules is a significant convenience for tenants and visitors who rely on buses, trains, or subways.

Best Practices:

• Integrate with local public transportation systems to provide up-to-date arrival times.
• Include routes, delays, or changes that could affect commutes.
• Highlight nearby transit stops or stations on an interactive map.

 

 

5. Tenant Listings

One of the primary purposes of a digital directory is to help visitors locate tenants within the building. The tenant directory should be easy to search and visually clear.

Best Practices:

• Organize tenants by categories (e.g., businesses, restaurants, shops) or by floor.
• Include tenant names, logos, and brief descriptions of their services.
• Enable search functionality for quick access.
• Option for interactive maps to show the location within the building.

 

6. Property Amenities and Branding

Highlighting the building’s amenities serves as a promotional tool and enhances the user experience. Include branding elements to reinforce the building’s identity and value proposition.

Best Practices:

• Showcase available amenities such as conference rooms, gyms, cafés, and outdoor spaces.
• Include information about opening hours and any booking or usage policies.
• Prominently display building branding, such as logos and color schemes, to ensure consistent representation.
• Option to highlight current promotions or exclusive deals for tenants and visitors.

 

 

7. News Ticker

A news ticker provides ongoing, real-time information to keep users informed of current events. This can include local news, global updates, or specific announcements related to the building.

Best Practices:

• Integrate with news feeds like Reuters, BBC, or a local news source.
• Display a continuous scroll with relevant headlines.
• Customize the feed to prioritize news that is local or relevant to the tenants.

 

8. Emergency and Safety Information

While not always a feature people think about, emergency and safety information is vital for providing guidance during urgent situations.

Best Practices:

• Include a section for emergency contact information such as building security, fire exits, and local emergency services.
• Enable an alert system for real-time notifications in the event of emergencies.
• Clearly mark evacuation routes, especially in high-rise buildings.

 

 

9. Interactive Maps

Interactive maps enhance the user experience by providing real-time navigation within the building. They help visitors easily locate tenants, amenities, and points of interest.

Best Practices:

• Offer touch-enabled, zoomable maps that provide detailed floor plans.
• Display key landmarks like restrooms, elevators, and staircases.
• Enable route-planning from one location to another.

 

10. Property Announcements and Events

The directory can act as a bulletin board for property-wide announcements, events, or updates. This helps foster community within the building.

Best Practices:

• Include announcements such as maintenance schedules, new tenants, or upcoming events.
• Enable push notifications for important building updates.
• Highlight special events or tenant-hosted activities with visuals and RSVP links.

 

11. Wayfinding and Turn-by-Turn Directions

Digital directories are often used for navigation, so incorporating a wayfinding system is essential for larger or more complex buildings.

Best Practices:

• Offer turn-by-turn directions from the lobby to a specific tenant or amenity.
• Integrate with mobile apps for a seamless experience on personal devices.
• Include options for accessible routes, especially for those with mobility issues.

 

12. Sustainability and Energy Monitoring (Optional)

In eco-conscious buildings, displaying the building’s sustainability metrics can reinforce green initiatives and demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Best Practices:

• Include real-time energy usage or CO2 emissions savings.
• Display water conservation statistics or other green initiatives.
• Provide updates on sustainable building practices like recycling programs.

 

 

13. Multilingual Support

For buildings with international tenants or visitors, multilingual support is a must.

Best Practices:

• Offer language options like English, Spanish, Mandarin, etc.
• Make language switching easy to find, possibly in the top corner of the screen.
• Ensure all important features are fully translated.

 

Conclusion A well-rounded digital building directory is more than just a list of tenants. It serves as a central information hub that provides real-time data, enhances navigation, promotes building amenities, and improves the overall experience for everyone in the building. When thoughtfully designed with a focus on user convenience, safety, and engagement, it becomes a key asset in modern property management, elevating the property’s status and its tenants' satisfaction.