Recently, I completed an upgrade to the WordPress application that powers a number of kiosk screens at the WTC in Amsterdam. Designed by Geerdes Ontwerpen as part of a larger wayfinding solution, these kiosks help guide visitors to their destination within the extensive complex.
WordPress
Technically, the WTC Company Finder consists of a custom-built, touch-friendly WordPress theme, and a tailor-made plugin that adds a post type for storing the complex’s tenants. These are displayed alphabetically on the front end, and are searchable based on their street number.
There’s a bit of pre_get_posts magic and some custom metaboxes, etc, but the WordPress side of things is actually pretty straightforward. WordPress turned out to be a very good fit for a wayfinding project like this.
The recent update adds route maps, which you can take with you by scanning a QR code. This will open “your” map on your phone, with the path from the kiosk to your destination clearly marked.
Project like this, that take WordPress slightly beyond what it was originally designed to do are always fun, and this was no exception.
