The issues of spatial orientation and navigation in the environment of large university complexes. The various functional and urban planning types of university complexes based on spatial orientation. The problems of spatial orientation in the built environment for the two types: urban "local" systems "integrated" type; Country (or suburban) campuses. Was investigated systematized modern "language" of visual communications for the university environment. Stand "information carriers" and "information structures" among university complexes "functional spatial structure" building "composite structure", "decorative plastic" and "semantic-graphic" structure. The conceptual model of the "frame of orientation" university environment as a complex system of spatial orientation of the inner and outer three-dimensional structure of the building. Marked methodological stages of the project forming a "frame of orientation" for new construction and modernization of university complexes. Stages based on three levels of visual contact "newcomers" and open objects and interior environment of the university complex "occurrence" on Wednesday, "awareness" of the environment, "dissolution" in the medium.

Keywords: university complex, spatial orientation, visual communication