Place-stat* ambient signage system Gonzalo Garcia-Perate 1 , Ruth Conroy Dalton 1 , Nick Sheep Dalton 2 , Duncan Wilson 3 1 The Bartlett, University College London Gower Street, London, WC1 H0QB 2 Department of Computing, The Open University Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA 3 Arup Foresight Innovation + Incubation, 13 Fitzroy St, London, W1T 4BQ [g.garcia-perate, r.conroy-dalton]@ucl.ac.uk, n.dalton@open.ac.uk, duncan.wilson@arup.com Abstract. Signage systems in public buildings usually present visitors with static information that relates to the spatial or thematic layout of the space. In this paper we present the design of an ambient signage system for public spaces called Place-stat*. Place-stat* addresses the question of how to present visitors in public spaces with contextual dynamic information such as flows of people and data. Keywords: Ambient signage systems, urban informatics. 1 Introduction The Place-stat* signage system is designed for public spaces such as museums, libraries, shops and restaurants where traditional signage systems depict information relating to spatial, thematic layout or hierarchical structure often in a static format. Place-stat* is a flexible signage system designed to present information about dynamic flows of people and data in places. Which are the popular areas of a museum? How many users are connected to the public Wi-Fi? Are some of the data streams we can present, and can affect visitor’s experience of a place. Place-stat* signs combine an electronic display with an interchangeable physical outer shell that helps contextualise the information presented. The display is an 8x8 RGB LED dot-matrix that allows us to show glanceable information whilst allowing for a reasonable level of detail to be displayed. The outer shell complements and contextualises the information presented by the display, suggesting the subject it relates to. The shell can be easily laser-cut from a variety of materials including wood, plastic or cardboard to suit different applications and settings.