Abstract
This study analyzes the characteristics of special configuration for wayfinding in general hospitals. To that end, the study categorizes four different hospitals, according to the type of their wayfinding systems. It aims at utilizing the result of the analysis for wayfinding system in general hospitals by applying three elements of analysis methods', perpetual access, depth, and intelligibility. The study result shows as follows: First, there is no difference in special hierarchy when hospitals are analyzed and divided by halls and streets. It means that outpatient departments are located by spatial function and characteristics rather than form of spatial configuration. Second, we found that fewer direction changes are conducive to easier circulation in terms of wayfinding, when we analyzed spatial depth from the main entrances to the outpatient departments. Third, regarding intelligibility, intelligibility of Chungang University Hospital ranked highest. Kunkook University Hospital, Dongkook University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively. It means that difficulty level of wayfinding is not decided by the characteristics of special configuration such as hospital hall and hospital streets but depends on location planning. The difficulty level of wayfinding mainly relies on location planning.