Bethesda North

Montgomery, Ohio
Swath Design was tasked with providing a comprehensive approach to the design of campus signage for Bethesda North Hospital, aiming to improve wayfinding and enhance the patient experience. As the fourth-largest hospital in Cincinnati, Bethesda North has grown significantly from a small community facility with 70 beds to a 400-bed acute and tertiary care hospital serving the northeast corridor of Cincinnati and Warren County.

The project included several key components, beginning with a thorough wayfinding analysis to assess navigation challenges across the campus. This analysis identified areas for improvement, paving the way for master planning to develop a cohesive, distinct design that would support seamless navigation. Swath Design also focused on creating monument gateway signage to provide a clear, visible entrance to the medical campus along a heavily trafficked thoroughfare, as well as designing exterior signage to identify all campus buildings while ensuring compliance with local zoning regulations.

Inside the hospital, an audit of the existing signage revealed that updates were needed to better reflect the hospital’s evolving mission and vision. Swath developed an interior signage system that not only improved wayfinding but also expressed the hospital’s commitment to the community and connection to the surrounding suburban neighborhood. The interior signage was designed to guide patients and visitors effortlessly through the facility, enhancing the overall experience with clear, user-friendly navigation.

Throughout the process, Swath Design worked closely with Bethesda North Hospital’s staff and City of Montgomery zoning officials, ensuring that the design not only met the functional needs of the hospital but also enhanced the character, integrity, and community value of the campus. The final result is a testament to the power of collaboration and thoughtful design, creating a visually impactful, user-friendly environment that serves patients, visitors, and staff with clarity and ease.