The Ward Building, a 220,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the Oklahoma State Capitol, serves as the headquarters for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). With thousands of employees and visitors circulating daily, the building’s size and mid-century architecture made interior navigation a challenge. Even with highway patrol and security at the entrance, visitors often found the interior difficult to orient within. Color Works was brought in to design and manage a comprehensive signage and wayfinding program that would make this state headquarters accessible, intuitive, and visually aligned with ODOT’s mission.

As a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s government infrastructure, the Ward Building embodies the enduring solidity of mid-century design—characterized by hard surfaces, concrete, and glass. Yet those very qualities created an environment that felt unyielding and, at times, confusing to traverse. As public buildings evolve to better serve accessibility and inclusivity standards, ODOT recognized an opportunity to create an interior experience that reflected the same efficiency and care they bring to the state’s roadways. The challenge was to introduce a system that simplified navigation while maintaining architectural integrity and honoring taxpayer investment.

Color Works provided full Interior Design and Project Management services, guiding the project from initial concept through installation. Collaboration with ODOT’s internal facilities and communications teams was key to success. Together, we verified every directional element, departmental label, and compliance detail to ensure accuracy and long-term relevance.

The design response was rooted in clarity, cohesion, and flexibility. Typography was carefully selected for its legibility and ADA compliance, ensuring every sign met accessibility standards while maintaining a professional, modern appearance. The mid-century geometry of the building informed placement and proportion, allowing the signage to feel like a natural extension of the architecture rather than an overlay.

To offset the abundance of concrete and hard surfaces, Color Works introduced wood accents throughout the signage system—an intentional nod to biophilic design that brought warmth and humanity into the environment without disrupting its tone or authority. The color and material palette connected to the ODOT brand while remaining consistent with Oklahoma’s government visual standards.

One of the most distinctive aspects of this package is its modular insert system, which allows ODOT to update room names, departments, and directional information as their teams grow or restructure. This feature gives the signage long-term adaptability, ensuring it will serve the building for decades. The system’s durability and flexibility not only protect the original investment but also represent a responsible, future-minded use of taxpayer funds.

The result is a signage and wayfinding program that redefines how people experience the Ward Building. Visitors can now move through the space with ease, guided by signage that is clear, consistent, and visually integrated with its surroundings. Employees benefit from a more organized and intuitive environment, improving daily workflow and reinforcing a sense of pride in their workplace.

Beyond function, the project brings a subtle human touch to a large government facility—demonstrating how thoughtful design can bridge efficiency and empathy. The new system strengthens accessibility, enhances the building’s longevity, and exemplifies design as a responsible public investment that serves both the state and its citizens.

Strategic design turns public buildings into spaces that serve with clarity, warmth, and purpose. Connect with Color Works to explore how interior design and project management can make your government environments more functional, accessible, and future-ready.