Client: Leigham Practice Clinic
Architect: JiB Design Studio
The Leigham Practice Clinic project consisted of a refurbishment of basement and ground floor.
The practice deals with alternative methods of care and by its nature most of the clients support some form of disability. It was therefore imperative to ensure the building was fully accessible.
The project provided many challenges not least the provision of a lift between ground and basement floors contained within the confined existing structure. Working closely with the architect, PCA contributed practical design advice for all aspects of the project culminating in the provision of a Part M compliance report for Building Control approval. The building has subsequently been granted approval and is under refurbishment.
Client: SADECO
Architect: HOK
This expansion will enable the airport to meet increasing demand and support the country’s growing economy. As with the original airport, the design creates a strong sense of place and a passenger-friendly terminal welcoming each traveler as an important guest to Riyadh.
The design brief for the current project was to integrate and extend Terminals 3 and 4 as an infill development that complements and enhances the existing airport while accommodating 17.5 million passengers per year. The project also introduces a central processor building and three new piers with 24 gates.
An integrated BIM strategy allows the entire design team to rationalize and coordinate the process throughout construction. The facilities are being refurbished in two phases to allow the existing airport operations to function at capacity during construction.
PCA provided Inclusive Design advice which culminated in the production of a compliance report. A crucial aspect to this work was the use of the KSA Built Environment Guidelines EN 2010 together with the American Ansi.a117.1.2009-Accessible and usable buildings.
Client: Hammerson and Ballymore Group
Architect: Farrells
The Goodsyard, formerly known as the Bishopsgate Goods Yard, is located in the middle of Shoreditch, Banglatown and Spitalfields. It encompasses Shoreditch High Street Station and straddles the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney. The intention is to create a vibrant hub containing commercial and residential developments including 1.8 hectares of public open space to a site that is currently a 10 acre derelict void in the middle of one of the most bustling areas of East London.
Through careful consideration of both individual building access and the urban landscape, step free access was achieved by means of a coordinated access strategy. The Access Strategy needed to be flexible as different aspects of the masterplan were being developed by different multi-diciplinary practices and were therefore unique in the challenges they posed.
This project will present many challenges, not least of which will be overcoming topographical constraints. Key to our role here will be constant liaison with the developers to ensure that all public access routes are designed as inclusive and promote a non-discriminatory exciting public realm.
PCA input contributed to 60% of residential units, proposed for the site, being designed as wheelchair accessible which exceeds the London Plan requirement of 10%. The remaining residences are 100% Lifetime Homes compliant.
Client: ABP
Architect: Farrells
The largest development of its kind in the UK, the state-of-the-art business district will act as a platform for financial, high-tech and knowledge driven industries. The 35-acre site is set to be transformed into a mixed use scheme comprising office, leisure, retail and ancillary residential buildings, with a gross external area of 3 million sq ft.
Through careful consideration of both individual building access and the urban landscape, step free access was achieved by means of a coordinated access strategy. This required careful consideration of the new infrastructure and its connection to the existing communication links, site constraints and topography. An added aspect was to ensure the existing Heritage buildings where upgraded to be fully inclusive.
Working with UK developer Stanhope and architects and masterplanners Farrells, PCA are the sole Access Consultants for the site.
Client: Greenland Investment
Architect: EPR Architects
Ram Quarter Phase 1 is the first of a three-phased scheme that will consist of more than 650 apartments across a 7.7 acre site. The development will help redefine Wandsworth Town and incorporate a brewery museum and micro-brewery within Phase 1.
The site straddles the River Wandle and is situated on the northern edge of Wandsworth town centre. It is bounded to the south by Wandsworth High Street, to the west by Wandsworth Plain, to the north by Armoury Way, and to the east by Ram Street.
Phase 1 contains existing Heritage buildings and 9 new buildings. The development also provides a vibrant retail and public thoroughfare from Ram Street to Wandsworth High Street
Access considerations for the site have included the existing topography and conversation of the existing Heritage buildings. Phase 1 has been designed to the London Plan requirement with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide.
Client: Consolidated Developments Ltd
Architect: Orms Architects
The site is located in the London Borough of Camden and comprises a new Gallery building to host events, offices, restaurants and a hotel, and proposes to refurbish and improve the existing retail, residential and office buildings, many of which are listed.
The site is connected to the redevelopment of Charing Cross Road which contains the new Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Station.
The site has connections to Andrew Borde St, Denmark Place and Denmark St.
Access considerations for the site have included the redevelopment of Charing Cross Road and conversation of the existing Heritage buildings.
As a public gallery, access requirements have been of major importance. The existing building refurbishment has been designed to the London Plan requirement with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard.
Client: Zerum Consult Ltd
Architect: Make Architects
The site is located off Deansgate in the City of Manchester. The development comprises hotel, leisure, residential, and office accommodation and includes new public plazas and associated landscape works. The site has an existing rise from west to east of 4350mm.
The site is bounded by Deansgate in the west, Southmill St in the east, Bootle St in the south and Jacksons Row in the north.
Step free access to the site is provided from Jacksons Row and Southmill St.
The public areas within the site are pedestrian areas only and consist of a lower entrance plaza, an intermediate level and an upper garden plaza. Access between levels is provided by means of public stairs running centrally through the site and two public wheelchair accessible lifts.
The development has been designed to the Manchester City Council requirements, with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide. This development is at planning stage.
Client: Development Securities Plc
Architect: Farrells
The Valentine House project consisted of a permitted development application to convert existing Valentines House from office use to residential.
The application includes a new residential façade, a two storey roof top extension, the addition of residential units at 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th floors, retail extensions at ground floor and associated landscape works.
PCA worked closely with the architects on all aspects of the design to ensure not only the retail and landscape design where fully accessible but also the London Plan requirement of 100% Lifetime Homes and 10% wheelchair accessible residences where achieved.
Client: Brookfield Multiplex
Architect: John Robertson Architects
The Campden Hill project is a residential project located in Notting Hill, London. The building contains 72 apartments on 7 floors with basement parking, spa, gym and cinema facilities.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard.
The leisure facilities include a gym and swimming pool, which have been designed to the recommendations set out in ‘Sport England – Access for disabled people guidance notes’.
Client: Brookfield Multiplex
Architect: John Robertson Architects
The Old Burlington St building is located in the Mayfair area of London between Berkeley Square and Bond Street, in the Borough of Westminster. The site has an existing fall of 530mm from Old Burlington Street to Cork Street.
The building consists of three Basement levels and a public accessible ground level containing Galleries. The eight upper levels contain 42 residential apartments.
Of utmost importance to this project was providing access to the building to achieve an inclusive environment for occupants and the public, whilst ensuring sensitivity of the new proposals with the surrounding period buildings.
Client: Eco World-Ballymore
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
A confidential project consisting of underground parking, Residential Amenities and two residential towers containing over 750 residences.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide.
Residential amenities are fully wheelchair accessible and include a swimming pool/gym, which have been designed to the recommendations set out in ‘Sport England – Access for disabled people guidance notes’.
Client: Meadow Residential
Architect: Farrells
The site extends to 4.7 ha and consists of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club (DHFC) stadium (including grassed pitch, 3,000 person capacity stand, club house, gym and squash courts), Green Dale Artificial Pitch (providing three 5-a-side football pitches) and Green Dale Playing Fields (an area of green space plus disused tennis courts).
Development proposals include the relocation and redevelopment of the DHFC stadium to the west of existing facilities. The new stadium will provide a 3G all-weather artificial playing pitch, located on the site of the Green Dale Artificial Pitch, plus 4,000 person capacity stand, club house and gym on the western end of the existing stadium.
155 residential units will also be built on the site of the existing DHFC stadium, together with a linear park providing open space and serving as a green link between St Francis Park and Green Dale Playing Fields. A Multi-Use-Games-Area will be provided on the site of the current DHFC pitch, whilst Green Dale Playing Fields will undergo a number of improvements to enhance biodiversity and provide play equipment.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide standards. This development is at planning stage.
Client: Meadow Residential
Architect: Arney Fender Katsalidis
The site is located in the Mill Hill ward of the London Borough of Barnet and lies between the A1 Watford Way, which is a dual carriageway, and the M1 motorway.
The current proposals are to deliver around 750 new homes with a mix of one, two and three bedrooms. Residents will have access to shared and private amenity spaces comprising courtyards, a park and balconies.
The ground level of the site is step free, level or gently sloping and located 5m above the surrounding topography to create an acoustic barrier for the residences.
Step free pedestrian access, in the east of the site, is by means of two public lifts and a bridge link and stair, which have been provided to overcome the change in level.
Step free access from the public car park, located in the south of the site, is by means of a 1:21 graded walkway. This walkway provides pedestrian access for residents to the Local Convenience store and bar/restaurant, located at Lower Ground Floor level.
The centre of the site is level and step free and will contain fully accessible dedicated play areas together with open grass areas and planted areas.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 90% of residences designed to Approved Document Part M Volume 1 M4(2) Category 2 and 10% designed to Approved Document Part M Volume 1 M4(3) Category 3.
Client: Altitude
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
The site is located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells and is bounded by Church Road in the north, Mount Pleasant Road in the east and Clanricarde Road in the south.
The site has an existing topography which rises 9.3m from south to north and 5m from east to west.
The proposal is for a mixed use redevelopment comprising 3,039 sqm of gross internal area. The development will be comprised of retail outlets, restaurants, a cinema, office accommodation and 108 dwellings together with car and cycle parking, highway works and public realm improvements.
There is also an alternative option whereby the office accommodation would be removed and replaced by a Medical Centre. This will affect the residential unit numbers but will have no effect on the remainder of the development. This development is at planning stage.
Due to the existing topography, access solutions required an innovative approach. The design also provided for 100% of residences being designed to Approved Document Part M, Volume 1, M4(2), Category 2.
PCA believes in providing access solutions to enable our client’s vision for a project. We don’t merely quote the regulations or their possible restraints. We make them work for you to create functional and legally compliant spaces.
Before founding PCA, Peter Connell started his professional career as a successful Production Architect. In 2001, Peter founded Arup Accessible Environments (AAE), an autonomous business under the Arup umbrella, which he ran for 12 years.
During his time as the Leader of AAE, Peter garnered a substantial client base across several sectors and countries, with a healthy occurrence of return business. His input was requested on projects varying from individual buildings to entire city master plans.
In return, Peter’s international reputation was built and he is considered an expert on access in the UK and abroad. He shares his passion for championing accessibility, an ability to blend business acumen, management skills and technical expertise to make him the architect’s choice for accessible design.
The following projects give an overview of Peter’s extensive experience in access and inclusive design over the past 13 years.
Client: Various
Peter Connell has been involved in the consultation relating to the draft revisions of various documents relating to accessibility.
As part of this consultation, we provided suggestions for improvements to ensure that an inclusive and accessible environment is promoted in all instances.
Documents that we have worked on include:
Client: London Development Agency (LDA)
Work involved the pduction of an inclusive design guidance document for the LDA.
This involved research and analysis of existing documentation, consultation and liaison with disability action groups (including the London Forum and the Stratford City Consultative Access Group) and working closely with the LDA planners and developers throughout the project.
The document acts as a guide for LDA planners and developers, and for external construction industry project managers, as to how to achieve inclusive design within their projects, and how best to involve disabled people in the design and decision making processes throughout the RIBA stages, from feasibility through to completion.
The document became available for internal LDA use in 2007.
Client: Chanel
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
This project consisted of a temporary, demountable pavilion, housing a Chanel-inspired art exhibition. The pavilion tour consisted of stops at Hong Kong, Tokyo, Milan, New York, Moscow, London and Paris. This work involved an understanding of regulation and best guidance documents within all seven countries, and working closely with the architect, exhibition curators, event management teams and the site managers at each of the locations, to achieve an accessible building.
Where the country did not have any access standards or guidance documents, the British and American standards were adopted to ensure that an acceptable standard of accessibility was maintained.
Client: Natural History Museum
Architect: Arup Associates
This feasibility study for the Natural History Museum examined the possibilities for improving the access at the existing entrance.
The existing entrance is accessible by means of stairs only, and step-free access is currently only available by means of side or back entrances.
We worked closely with the Architects on this study to assess the potential for incorporating ramps and lifts, thus creating a more inclusive approach, whilst keeping with the character of the building.
Client: Argyll and Bute Council
Architect: Elder & Cannon
The Rothesay Pavilion is a Grade A listed Modern Movement Building on the Isle of Bute, Scotland.
Work on the Rothesay Pavilion consisted of an access audit of the existing Listed building and a review of the refurbishment proposals.
The access audit identified areas of the building which prevented or restricted access for disabled people – the main issue being that the building was located over three levels, and did not have any lifts.
A suitable location for a lift was identified, allowing access to all of the main facilities within the building. This included both front of house audience areas, back of house stage and performer areas, staff areas and public areas (such as the dance studios and meeting rooms).
Client: Serpentine Gallery
The Indian Highway exhibit at the Serpentine Gallery required the construction of a temporary extension to house the exhibition.
The exhibition was open to the public at the end of 2008, and consideration was therefore required for the provision of weather protection for the works of art.
Consideration was also required as to the location of the extension, following studies of existing site gradients and constraints.
We worked closely with the architects to ensure that the proposals were designed to the existing regulations and best practice guidance documents.
Client: Serpentine Gallery
The Serpentine Pavilion commission is an ongoing programme of temporary structures by internationally acclaimed architects and individuals. It is unique worldwide and presents the work of an international architect or design team who, at the time of the Serpentine Gallery’s invitation, has not constructed a building in the UK. The design of each structure is intended as a place for music and lectures within Hyde Park, as well as a place for visitors to gather and relax.
We have been asked to carry out a review against access requirements; produce an access statement for planning purposes; provide access advice; liaison with Building Control authorities during construction and practical completion for the design of each of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilions during the last seven years:
Client: Kent County Council
Architect: David Chipperfield Architects
Turner Contemporary Art Gallery will consist of a new two storey building on the Rendezvous site within the sea-side town of Margate.
This building will contain galleries, a café, a small gallery shop, a multi-function room and other associated facilities.
Our work on this project has involved advice from concept design through to the current construction of the building.
Key to designing this development was to provide an inclusive entrance that could be used in a coastal environment.
We were involved in forming an Access Forum, consisting of local people from different disability groups. The Access Forum was involved in the early design stages to provide feedback on the design, before the proposals were put forward to achieve a successful planning application.
The building was commended in the Civic Trust Awards 2012.
Client: Victoria and Albert Museum
Architect: Amanda Levette Architects
Work on the V&A involved the review and the submission of an Access Statement for the planning application. The application consisted of works for a new entrance and courtyard to the museum on Exhibition Road.
Integral to the work was the consideration of the existing fabric, being sensitive to the listed status of the building and understanding how visitors currently use the space (and, therefore, how the new entrance can complement and enhance this usage).
This involved working closely with the architects both from a spatial planning perspective (to ensure that the circulation within the courtyard and entrance were sufficient for all users), as well as assistance when deciding upon the finer details (e.g. the finishes for the courtyard, to ensure that steps and ramps were clearly defined).
This process also involved regular liaison with the local authority, and with the V&A’s safety officers.
Client: SMG
Architect: Fuse Design
Work on the York Barbican Centre consisted of an access audit of the existing building and a review of the refurbishment proposals.
The access audit identified areas of the building which prevented or restricted access for disabled people.
The refurbishment proposals consisted of general improvement works, to circulation space, reception areas, hearing enhancement provisions, toilet and changing facilities, and refreshment areas.
The refurbishment proposals also consisted of the introduction of a secondary entrance, which provided easy and more direct access to the facilities located at the back of the Centre.
Our involvement also included advice and support throughout the refurbishment period, for the architects and contractors, to ensure a smooth delivery of the works.
Client: University of Sheffield
Architect: Make Architects
This project involved providing access services for the design development of the Digital Campus, Sheath Square at the University of Sheffield.
The proposed entrance to the campus consists of an arched opening, with approaches at shallow gradients no steeper than 1:21. The entrance provides access to a lobby, where access to the upper levels could be achieved by means of lifts, stairs and escalators.
The project involved consideration and advice regarding public transport links, private vehicle access, and cycle and pedestrian routes. The aim for the building was to be inclusive, providing an accessible environment for students, staff and visitors to the site.
Client: University of Surrey
Architect: Arup Associates
This project involved providing access services for the design development of the Post Graduate Medical School at the University of Surrey.
This involved consideration and advice regarding the transport links, approaches, entrances, vertical and horizontal circulation and facilities, including sanitary conveniences and educational areas.
The PGMS won the Guildford Society Design Award.
Client: CitiGroup
Architect: Arup Associates
The work carried out consisted of access services for a proposed data centre and accompanying offices for CitiGroup in Germany.
Given the international nature of the company, the CitiGroup offices afforded full accessibility and were designed to British, American and German regulations and codes of practice.
The data centre was designed with accessible internal horizontal and vertical access for general areas where staff may be requested to monitor the area; the data areas were considered as plant and maintenance areas, and were not designed as accessible.
Client: IX Europe (now known as Equinix)
The work carried out consisted of the writing of an Access Statement for the fit-out of a two storey data centre. The building consisted of a high-security data centre with accompanying meeting and office facilities in Slough, UK. Meeting rooms, offices, circulation areas and communal facilities (including toilets and refreshment areas) were designed to the recommendations set out in British Building Regulations, including Approved Document Part M in relation to access for disabled people. However, it was agreed that the data areas were not designed as accessible, as they would be accessed for inspection, maintenance and repair only.
Client: E-Shelter
The work carried out consisted of access services for a proposed data centre, consisting of a high-security data centre with accompanying car parking facilities in Buckinghamshire, UK.
The data centre was designed to British regulations and codes of practice, including Approved Document Part M. Although the office and circulation areas were designed to be Part M compliant, the requirements of Part M do not apply to “...any part of a building which is used solely to enable the building or any service or fitting in the building to be inspected, repaired or maintained.” The data areas were not therefore designed as accessible.
Client: Coventry University
Architect: Arup Associates
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing creates an extension to the Coventry University site.
The building consists of experiment, lecture and research areas.
Key to this project was providing accessibility to staff, students and visitors on a multi–storey site, creating a step free internal environment with level surface access, including to the roof-top testing area.
This was achieved by means of accessible passenger lifts and careful consideration of gradients and walking surfaces throughout the external and internal circulation routes.
Client: Croydon Vocational College
Architect: Nightingale Architects
The Croydon College Tower development creates an extension to Croydon Vocational College’s Fairfield site.
The building is twenty-six storeys high, constructed above a two-level basement. The basement houses the car park, covered loading bay and plant.
Floors 1–9 comprise the academic levels of the building; Floors 11–26 are residential levels; Floor 10 contains a Fitness Suite and plant areas.
Key to this project was providing accessibility to staff, students and visitors on a multi–storey site, creating a step free internal environment with level surface access to both the academic and residential entrances of the ground floor.
Client: Kensington and Chelsea College
Architect: Dixon Jones
Kensington & Chelsea College consists of a new five storey college building with a basement.
This building will contain education & conference facilities, a learning resource centre, a café bar, a shop, administration and plant areas.
Work involved close liaison with the design team, including joint assessment and selection of furniture and finishes. Proposed colour schemes were assessed using a colorimeter and comparison of light reflectance values (LRV). This ensured that selected finishes would achieve a minimum of 30 LRV points difference, which creates an environment suitable for visually impaired people.
Client: Ravensbourne College
Architect: Foreign Office Architects
The Ravensbourne College development involved the relocation of an arts and media college to the Greenwich Peninsula. Based on a single site the development consists of retail units on the ground floor, and 11 split upper levels of college accommodation.
The main challenges faced in making this an inclusive environment surrounded the split levels, especially given the venue was to be used by the public on weekend and evenings for performances and classes.
By suggesting two lift banks using a system of connecting bridges the split levels could easily be accessed and all levels and viewing positions were made inclusive.
Further to this was the inclusion of hearing enhancement systems in all areas of public gathering.
Client: Royal Society of Arts
Architect: John McAslan & Partners
This project involved the development of three storeys of college accommodation and a college sports hall. It is a redevelopment of an existing site and some of the existing buildings were to be retained and incorporated as part of the new fabric.
The project required extra contribution beyond that of ensuring the building was compliant and inclusive. For example, transport links to the surrounding area were good, but there were issues regarding transport links to the college itself. By highlighting the distance between drop off points and the entrance, we were able to suggest rest points (in the form of benches) for those unable to travel long distances on foot.
Client: University of Oxford
Architect: Make Architects
The Old Road Campus Building is located in the south-east end of the University of Oxford campus within an existing landscaped site. The site has a varying gradient and contains several existing buildings.
Fundamental to making this building accessible to all was addressing the varying gradients of the surrounding landscape. Through manipulation of these gradients, the southern entrance to the building was modified from an inaccessible gradient of 1:10 to an accessible gradient of 1:40.
Internally, stairs leading to the first and second floors were designed with an extra riser. This ensured that no rise would be greater than 170mm, thus remaining accessible for ambulant disabled people.
Client: University of Oxford
Architect: Make Architects
The BDI Building is located in the south-east end of the University of Oxford campus within an existing landscaped site. The site has a varying gradient and contains several existing buildings.
The project comprised a new building consisting of basement, ground and two upper storeys of office accommodation and associated landscape works.
Fundamental to making this building accessible to all was addressing the varying gradients of the surrounding landscape. Through manipulation of these gradients, a major pedestrian route across the campus was provided to the north of the building.
Key to this project was providing accessibility to staff, students and visitors on a multi–storey site, creating a step free internal environment with level surface access.
This was achieved by means of accessible passenger lifts and careful consideration of gradients and walking surfaces throughout the external and internal circulation routes.
Client: Thomas & Adamson
Architect: LDN Achitects
The project consisted of access services for the design of a grand stand for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Client requirements for the project included provisions of a safe, swiftly erected and collapsible set of stands on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade including supporting infrastructure, capable of sitting comfortably 8600 people, plus 7 VIP boxes, with suitable control, lighting and sound facilities in order to allow the public to watch in relative comfort the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during 3 weeks in August and other events during the year.
The work involved close liaison with the architects, achieving the client requirements and existing access regulations and guidance documents.
Client: BSkyB
Architect: Arup Associates
The project consisted of studio and office accommodation, for day to day use by BSkyB staff and occasional use by visitors to the building (including guests and public audience members).
In addition to access considerations in relation to the building users/occupants, day to day practical access issues also had to be considered such as the moving of studio equipment throughout the building.
Access services were employed from concept to completion and involved advice during the selection process for finishes and furniture. This included assessment of light reflectance value (LRV) differences between proposed finishes to ensure that sufficient colour contrast was achieved.
Client: Steam Boat Developments
Architect: Make Architects
This was a concept design project for the Odeon West End building located off Leicester Square in London.
The Odeon West End building consists of two cinema screens, accessed from a lower ground floor entrance lobby and a basement -01 ticket office.
The ticket office included provision of refreshment facilities, sanitary conveniences and ticket purchasing facilities. Access advice throughout the concept design stage of these facilities ensured that access was afforded for all visitors and staff members.
Additionally, the scheme contained retail units, a hotel and residential accommodation.
Client: University of Greenwich
Project Managers: Faithorn Farrell Timms
This audit was carried out on the Drill Hall Library and Pilkington building within the University of Greenwich Medway Campus. The audit enabled the client to understand what additional access works were required on the buildings to ensure access to all facilities.
The audit required two site visits, one general of the entire site and a second specific visit to reassess potential access issues. Following both visits an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, to indicate where changes were required.
Liaison with students and staff allowed access issues to be listed in accordance with their priority levels, and a series of optional solutions provided.
Client: University of Greenwich
Project Managers: Faithorn Farrell Timms
This audit was carried out on the University of Greenwich, Medway Campus which is a World Heritage site.
The audit enabled the client to understand what access works were required on the buildings to ensure access to all facilities.
The audit was conducted over the period of a month and included the Jellicoe building, Pembroke building, Blake building, Nelson Building, Anson building, Greenville building, Hawke building, Wolfson building, Sports Hall and the surrounding landscape.
Following the audits an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, to indicate where access issues existed and what changes were required.
Liaison with students and staff allowed access issues to be listed in accordance with their priority levels, and a series of optional solutions provided.
Client: University of Greenwich
Project Managers: Faithorn Farrell Timms
This audit was carried out on the University of Greenwich, Greenwich Campus which is a World Heritage site.
The audit enabled the client to understand what access works were required on the buildings to ensure access to all facilities.
The audit was conducted over the period of a month and included Queen Anne Court, Queen Mary Court, King William Court, Cooper Building, Stephen Lawrence Building, Stockwell Street, Hamilton House, Daniel Defoe Hall, Cutty Sark Hall, Devonport House and the surrounding landscape.
Following the audits an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, to indicate where access issues existed and what changes were required.
Liaison with students and staff allowed access issues to be listed in accordance with their priority levels, and a series of optional solutions provided.
Client: University of Greenwich
Project Managers: Faithorn Farrell Timms
This audit was carried out on the University of Greenwich, Avery Hill Campus which is a World Heritage site.
The audit enabled the client to understand what access works were required on the buildings to ensure access to all facilities.
The audit was conducted over the period of a month and included Southwood Lodge, Southwood House, Bronte building, Grey Building, David Fussey building, Fry building, Mary Seacole building, Jane Seymour Court, Catherine of Aragon Court, Anne Boleyn Court, the Dome and surrounding landscape.
Following the audits an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, to indicate where access issues existed and what changes were required.
Liaison with students and staff allowed access issues to be listed in accordance with their priority levels, and a series of optional solutions provided.
Client: Greenwood Community Centre
Project Managers: Greenwood Community Centre
This audit was carried out on the Green Street Green Community Centre.
The audit enabled the client to understand what access works were required on the buildings to ensure access to all facilities.
The audit was conducted over a single day and included the Community Centre building and surrounding access routes including fire escapes.
Following the audit an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, to indicate where access issues existed and what changes were required.
Client: Arup
Audits were carried out on all Arup offices around the UK, to determine what adjustments, if any, were required to make the offices accessible for both staff and visitors.
The Access Audits consider not only the building interior but also its approaches, transportation links and local amenities. Issues highlighted in the audit were prioritised into a report indicating “Essential, Recommended and Preferred” categories with accompanying photographs.
The audits take into account the size of the offices, the type of service provided and the needs of the current staff in the office.
An audit like this aims to raise awareness, creating a comfortable environment for any disabled visitors and lead to the creation of provisions in the event that a wheelchair user is working within one of the offices.
Client: Arup
Architect: Arup Associates
The work consisted of an audit on Boston House, which sits within a conservation area (Fitzroy Square). The building had a Grade I Listed facade.
The audit fully assessed the existing facilities within the building, as well as a review of refurbishment proposals.
The project involved discussions with the local authority and English Heritage. It was agreed that no alterations would be made to the front of building or entrance. The only solution for access into the building was therefore to provide a portable ramp.
Another problem within the existing fabric was the provision of toilets. The existing building had toilet facilities located off the mid landings of the stairs. The refurbishment included the addition of two wheelchair accessible toilets within the building, located off the office floor plate for ease of access, but without compromising the privacy of the individual.
The refurbishment also provided a larger lift. The previous lift was too small and did not allow use by wheelchair users.
Client: Commonwealth Institute
Our work on the Commonwealth Institute consisted of an access audit of the existing Listed building and a review of the refurbishment proposals.
The access audit identified areas of the building which prevented or restricted access for disabled people. These were largely due to the substantial level changes on the site, which resulted in the three different internal levels. Access between levels was achieved by means of steps only.
Lift access was provided to the upper levels of the gallery, although the lift could only be accessed via the back of house loading bay.
The refurbishment proposals consisted of the introduction of additional lifts, which provided easy access to step-free circulation routes and equal access to all areas of the building.
This reduced the travel distance required to lifts, and also provided step-free links between the different aspects of the Commonwealth Institute (including the auditorium / conference facilities, gallery and main entrances).
Client: London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
Architect: Broadway Malyan
An audit was required on 169 Union Street and its existing facilities following LFEPA decision to lease and refurbish an existing building for their new office.
This late nineteenth/early twentieth century building consists of a basement, a ground floor and three upper levels. Due to existing site and structural limitations the re-fit was unable to create an inclusive environment. However we were able to suggest provision which would vastly improve the access to and around 169 Union Street.
A number of non–compliant features were found in the building, suggestions made in the audit included: the addition of vision panels to internal corridor doors, the lowering of the reception desk to an accessible height for wheelchair users and a re-examination of lighting levels which were detrimental to visually impaired visitors and staff.
Client: Ridgeford Properties Ltd
Architect: Make Architects
Walpole House was an existing building located within the City of Westminster, and consisted of office space on the ground floor and residential units on the upper floors with associated car parking and outbuildings.
The development involved some demolition work and various extensions to the building to create further residential units.
The development also involved refurbishing the main entrances to the building to create inclusive access to both the residential units and additional office space.
Client: HSBC Bank
Project Managers: Edmond Shipway
This project consisted of the creation of a policy and Guidance document relating to external ATM machines for HSBC Bank globally and an ongoing advisory role.
HSBC are committed to replacing all their ATM machines to provide ease of use for all users.
The ongoing access consultancy work ensures each ATM is located and positioned to include for use by disabled people as advocated in UK and European law.
Client: Canterbury Punting Company
Project Managers: Peter Connell Associates Ltd
This project consisted of the creation of an Equality Policy document relating to the duty placed upon the company by the Equality Act and the Local Authority.
The policy affirmed that the Canterbury Punting Company are committed to providing ease of access and use for both customers and staff to all their facilities.
The policy ensures all facilities will include use by disabled people as advocated in UK and European law.
Client: Confidential
Architect: Confidential
A large rehabilitation centre in the Midlands, UK, for major injuries. The facility contains facilities for both inpatients and out patients, including residential accommodation, wards, treatment areas and recreational/social facilities.
The details of this project are confidential.
Client: Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Architect: Richard Rogers Partnership
The Janet Adegoke Centre Scheme provides new community health, social services and retail outlets on the site.
The Southern sections ground and first floor contains two retail units and offices. The north side contains the Collaborative Care Centre. The upper five levels of the scheme consist of residential accommodation.
The design of the pedestrian plaza allows step free access with a minimal gradient (1:50).
Key to design of a health care centre is its accessibility for patients, staff and visitors. The health care centre is accessible directly off the plaza and is designed as inclusive. This included level thresholds, obvious and visible frontages, and accessible interiors.
Transport to and from the centre has been carefully monitored through the design process. This includes ample on-site parking in the basement (20% designated parking for disabled motorists), a setting down area and a bus stop placed outside the building, which are all step free.
Client: Fire, Health & Safety Executive, NHS Trust
Peter Connell worked as access consultant to advise the Fire, Health & Safety Executive of the NHS Trust.
Workshops were held with the NHS board to discuss the evacuation requirements of their hospitals and clinics. This resulted in the production of a set of standards and evacuation strategies, for implementation at all NHS properties for staff, patients and, in particular, visitors.
In summary, the strategy advocated the compartmenting of wards within each building, to minimise the disruption caused when the alarm is sounded. The strategy also required that evacuation can be achieved by means of lifts, which would be designed to accommodate wheelchairs, stretchers and hospital beds. This allows a greater element of independence and dignity for patients during an evacuation, and is seen as a more equal and inclusive approach.
Client: Cathedral Group
Architect: Studio Egret West
The Welcome to Sidcup development consists of residential, community and commercial accommodation, as well as a NHS healthcare centre.
The site is located adjacent to Sidcup rail station, and required liaison with National Rail and working with the existing constraints of the site.
A project of this diversity requires a wide range of accessibility to suit the needs of a variety of disabilities and impairments of the users of the health care facilities. Provisions were made to ensure all aspects of the building were accessible and inclusive.
Client: Nikal
Architect: Ian Simpson Architects
The Altair Altrincham development is located in Altrincham – a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester.
The Altair Altrincham site consists of car parking facilities, retail, a health care centre, office accommodation, residential units, hotel and an ice rink with a climbing wall. All buildings are centered around an external public square.
The accessibility of this mixed use site for staff, residents and visitors was of utmost importance.
This included the provision of accessible hotel rooms for wheelchair users, including those requiring the use of mobile and fixed tracked hoists. A proportion of hotel rooms were also designed to be adaptable in the future, if required.
Client: Beetham Organisation Ltd
Architect: Ian Simpson Architects
One Blackfriars Road is the latest skyscraper set to transform the London skyline, and is located south of Blackfriars Bridge. The 52 storey tower will include a six-star hotel, private and affordable residential accommodation, and a public plaza with retail facilities.
Access workshops throughout the design stages resulted in an innovative and inclusive solution to the level differences between the plaza and street level, and ensured that the development was designed with disabled access fully in mind, such that all relevant regulations and recommendations were considered and met.
The hotel development is proposed to include accessible hotel rooms, at 5% of the total capacity. These will include access for wheelchair users and the ability to adjoin rooms, if required for carers.
One Blackfriars Road has received planning permission from the London Borough of Southwark Council.
Client: Zog Group
Architect: Terry Farrell & Partners
This outline scheme consists of hotel, residential and office accommodation located within the London Borough of Westminster.
Wheelchair-accessible rooms were proposed within the hotel accommodation, in accordance with BS 8300.
Continual reviews throughout the design stages ensured the consideration of access, including the following:
Client: Precis/Access Self Storage/ Montcalm Hotels
Architect: Farrells
The 13-storey Hotel is located opposite Kings Cross Station and consists of four basement levels containing multi use facilities, ground level containing refreshment facilities and 12 upper levels containing 292 rooms.
Access advice throughout the design stages ensured that, for planning, the design considered access for all visitors and staff members.
Access was considered in conjunction with heritage issues, ensuring that the character of the surrounding conservation area was incorporated within the design.
The hotel development is proposed to include accessible hotel rooms, at 5% of the total capacity. These will include access for wheelchair users and the ability to adjoin rooms, if required for carers.
Client: National Memorial Arboretum
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
The National Memorial Arboretum is a national site of remembrance near Lichfield in Staffordshire. The Arboretum contains over 50.000 trees and 300 memorials for the armed forces.
Our work on the project consisted of inclusive design services for the new Remembrance Centre. The centre features three new exhibition galleries, a large restaurant and shop, separate coffee shop and a cloistered courtyard with garden.
One of the many challenges was to ensure the fully immersive audio-visual displays, hands-on interactives and artistic interpretations were accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities.
Client: Frazer’s Property Development Ltd
Architect: Arney Fender Katsalidis
The site is located within the Whitechapel area of London in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. The development comprises two new buildings, combined basements and associated landscape works.
The main building within the development will contain a 4 Star Hotel and office accommodation. A secondary building, separated by a public pedestrian walkway from the main building, will contain a public Gallery and retail units.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 90% of residences designed to Approved Document Part M Volume 1 M4(2) Category 2 and 10% designed to Approved Document Part M Volume 1 M4(3) Category 3.
The hotel development is proposed to include accessible hotel rooms, at 5% of the total capacity.
Client: West Indies Governments
Architect: Arup Associates
The 2007 Cricket World Cup provided extensive development of the entire West Indies major cricketing venues. The brief required the review of 9 CWC venues in relation to seating, sightlines, broadcasting requirements, people flow and evacuation, fire safety, disabled provision, lifts, acoustics, and video and scoreboards.
We worked closely with the architects to ensure that wheelchair users were provided with an opportunity to view all matches, from a choice of viewing points.
We were also heavily involved with egress modelling and the evacuation of wheelchair users from stands – the majority of which were temporary. 3D-modelling allowed us to simulate evacuation situations in order to provide the best evacuation protocol for each stand in each venue.
Client: Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Architect: MESH Architects
The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) Underground is a planned railway tunnel in Ireland, expected to run under the city centre of Dublin.
DART intends to provide a link between itself and the existing rail links, including the Northern Rail line, Southern railway line, Luas light rail system, and the planned Metro.
Our work consisted of design reviews and the production of access statements for the following stations: Docklands, Heuston, Pearse, St. Stephen’s Green, Christchurch.
Client: Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
The project consisted of the Concept Design of an opera house and performing arts centre, with associated art and exhibition space and hotel accommodation.
There were no access standards or guidance documents in Dubai, therefore British standards were adopted for this project in order to ensure that an acceptable standard of accessibility was achieved for the development.
The development is located on a man-made island and approached by means off a new bridge (6th Crossing Bridge) on Nadd Al Hamar Road. The bridge links the mainland to the road system for the development.
The Opera House was internally designed to maximize accessibility and was considered from a staff and a visitor/guest/audience point of view.
Client: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SGIA)
Architect: Tekeli-Sisa Architecture Partnership
This study concerned the practical completion check for the Istanbul Airport to ensure that an inclusive environment is achieved within all areas of the airport.
The scope of work consisted of all areas of the new Terminal for Sabiha Gokcen Airport, including Basement Levels, Departure, Arrivals, Mezzanine and the Multi-Storey Car Park. The review and subsequent report focused both on the passenger and staff areas of the building, and involved working closely with the designers, the developers and the airport operators.
The work was based on EU regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006, DfT &Lsquo;Access to Air Travel’, BAA Accessible Airports, ECAC Doc No. 30 Annex J and K as well as international best practice design standards.
Client: Dubai Property Group
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
This project involved access services for the concept new-build development in Dubai, consisting of retail, office, residential and marine facilities.
There were no access standards or guidance documents in Dubai, and so the British and American standards were adopted for this project in order to ensure that an acceptable standard of accessibility was achieved for the development.
The site is located in Business Bay, which is a man-made island intended as a zone for business, commercial and residential use that covers an area of 64 million square feet. The consideration of access within the masterplan included for a step free site, with a number of public transport facilities, including car, buses, trains and boats.
Client: Agenzio Torino 2006
Architect: Arata Isozaki & Associates
The Turin Ice Hockey Stadium project was the design of a 15,000 seat multi use facility. It was to be used predominantly as an Ice Hockey Stadium but also provided the city with a competition standard ice rink.
We were involved with our fire engineers in relation to entrance and egress for disabled people. By working and designing 3D models of people flow we were able to create simulations of a variety of egress options in an evacuation situation.
By working through the simulation we were able to best provide evacuation protocols for all spectators and ensure that disabled spectators would achieve fast and efficient egress in an evacuation situation.
Client: Mubadala Development Company
Architect: Confidential
This project involved access services for the proposed new National Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The stadium has been designed to hold a capacity of 65,000 spectators for sporting and other events including entertainment.
There are no access standards or guidance documents in Abu Dhabi, therefore British standards, the Green Guide and Accessible Stadia were adopted for this project in order to ensure that an acceptable standard of accessibility was achieved for the development.
Client: Girvan Community Developments Ltd (GCDL)
Architect: John McAslan & Partners
Ailsa Craig is a small island situated south of Arran, within South Ayrshire. The island is now managed as an RSPB Nature Reserve and is a designated Special Protection Area.
This project involved the redevelopment of the existing dilapidated Beach Pavilion with a new state-of-the-art Ailsa Craig Centre at Girvan Harbour for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) nature reserve.
The Ailsa Craig Centre contains an interpretation centre (including exhibition, gallery and viewing areas), retail units, crèche and play facilities, theatre and cinema, studio space, a community activity space (including an indoor bowling hall) and café and restaurant facilities.
Key to this project was providing accessibility to both staff and visitors, creating a step free internal environment without compromising the views across the Harbour.
Client: Hammersmith Business Park Unit Trust
Architect: Make Architects
This project involved the design of four commercial buildings, twelve residences, a water sports facility and a river deck.
Located on the river front, the scheme aimed to improve links to and from the site from both land and water.
This included the restructuring of road systems surrounding the site, including the raising of road levels to ease access from surrounding roads to the site.
Additionally, a pedestrianised public plaza in the heart of the development has been created acting as both access and as leisure and recreation areas for residents, tenants and visitors to the site.
Client: Parkview International Plc
Architect: Various
Involvement in this project included completion of the master plan and planning application for the redevelopment and brownfield regeneration of the Battersea Power Station site. The vision was the creation of major entertainment and leisure complexes with the power station at its heart.
Through careful consideration of both individual building access and the urban landscape, step free access was achieved to the multiple levels contained within the development by means of a coordinated access strategy. The Access Strategy needed to be flexible as the buildings were being designed by different architectural practices and were therefore unique in the challenges they posed.
Together with the Power Station itself the Battersea Theatre development was a major aspect of the development.
The theatre’s performance area was accessed via five levels of foyer ranging from +11m to -12m with an approximate seating capacity of four thousand.
A crucial aspect in designing a theatre of this magnitude was to ensure that all five levels could be accessed by all users. At Battersea, this was achieved through a combination of stairs, escalators and lifts. Disabled visitors where not confined to small areas of the theatre with all levels having numerous designated wheelchair spaces with portions of removable seating.
Client: Capital & Counties
Architect: Farrells
The Earls Court Masterplan represents a unique opportunity to regenerate a substantial part of west London, creating thousands of new homes and jobs. Bordered by some of the capital’s most prime real estate neighbourhoods, the redevelopment offers the potential for significant value creation by implementing Sir Terry Farrell’s vision to create Four New Urban Villages and a ‘21st Century High Street’s across the Earls Court & West Kensington Opportunity Area (ECOA).
In 2012, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) resolved to grant planning consent for the Earls Court Masterplan. In January 2013, Capco also signed a Conditional Land Sale Agreement with LBHF, entitling it to acquire the Council’s 22 acres of land within the ECOA.
The proposed residential scheme on Seagrave Road to create 808 new homes around a public garden square received formal planning consent from LBHF in March 2012. The scheme will now be known as Lillie Square.
Client: Land Securities
Architect: Various
The Eastern Quarry project is the development of 6250 dwellings in a mixed use site. The site is currently a disused Quarry in Dartford, Kent Thameside and will be developed in three stages over the next 20 years.
Through careful consideration of both individual building access and the urban landscape, step free access was achieved by means of a coordinated access strategy. The Access Strategy needed to be flexible as different aspects of the masterplan were being developed by different multi-diciplinary practices and were therefore unique in the challenges they posed.
This project will present many challenges, not least of which will be overcoming topographical constraints. The sites proposed gradient will, at times, be as steep as 1 in 9. Key to our role here will be constant liaison with the developers to ensure that all public access routes are designed with disabled residents in mind and promote not only an exciting public realm but a non-discriminatory one also.
Client: Ballymore Group
Architect: 3D Reid
Minoco Wharf is a riverside location at the heart of the Royal Docks. It is proposed that the site will consist of office, retail, and residential accommodation as well as a boat lock and a marina.
At present the site suffers from a lack of access to the river and the park. The lack of integration creates a marginalized space for many people with disabilities, and our project aim was to create a fully integrated area in and around the new build.
The aim was satisfied through a series of boulevards designed to link areas around the wharf, which were all designed to be inclusive. The design also included numerous drop off areas and on–street parking for the residents.
The marina itself is made accessible through the addition of a gently graded pedestrian walkway which was designed to ensure the gradient did not exceed 1:20.
Client: Olympic Delivery Authority
Architect: Various
Creating Olympic venues that are accessible for both spectators and athletes poses quite a challenge. A wealth of experience in accessible design helped to ensure the 2012 Olympics where the most inclusive Games ever held.
“Accessibility planning means the Olympic Park can be used by everyone - both during the Games and in the future.” — Peter Connell
To meet the challenge of delivering an inclusive Olympics, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) created a set of guidelines, the Inclusive Design Standards, to outline the principles for accessibility. Peter Connell was seconded to the ODA for a period of time and was involved in the consultation process for the document, providing recommendations on the final content. Peter also provided Access Consultancy services for the masterplan, several individual venues and public spaces.
Considering all potential end users, including spectators, staff and athletes, required working with the respective design teams to ensure that an inclusive environment was created, making the venues and public spaces accessible for all.
Spectator accessibility has been considered throughout, from arrival at the venue, the event experience and the exiting strategy. Seating within these venues was designed to accommodate a wider range of users, which include wheelchair accessible viewing areas, amenity seating, and accompanying companion seating.
Peter ensured the Handball Arena upper level concourse seating was specifically designed so it can be added to or removed as needed. This provides the flexibility to accommodate large groups of wheelchair users, or to leave individual seats in place for companions.
The venues are also accessible for athletes, umpires and other venue staff, with wide corridors and doors, large changing rooms, and step-free access to the field of play. These allow access for Paralympic athletes in both their day chairs as well as their sports chair.
Additionally, Arup was also involved with the design for the Arcelor Mittal Orbit. The sculpture posed a unique challenge because, unlike the sporting venues, it has unrestricted public access both during and after the Games.
Client: Chelsfield Stanhope LCR
Architect: Various
This study considered the redevelopment of the Stratford City area which included a commercial area, retail and leisure space, enlarging the existing town centre and new and existing housing linked by a new educational campus.
The role was as site wide Access Consultants advising on strategic accessibility issues.
The Access strategy produced demonstrated a way which integrates access needs of all people into the scheme. This was presented to and accepted by the London Access Forum.
Based on the advice given, the buildings, transport links, car parking, and open spaces were planned in a way which enable the detailed design to be inclusive and meet the highest standards of accessible design.
Client: Nikal
Architect: Ian Simpson Architects
The Altair Altrincham mixed-use development is located in Altrincham – a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, nine miles to the south-west of Manchester city centre.
The Altair Altrincham site will consist of a new 3,000 seat ice stadium (to be home to the Manchester Phoenix), in addition to providing 15,000 sq m of retail and leisure accommodation; luxury apartments with panoramic views across South Manchester; 5,000 sq m of contemporary grade-A office space; a 100 bed hotel; extensive car parking; a parade of high quality restaurants; two new public squares; and a centre for extreme sports.
The accessibility of this mixed use site for staff, residents and visitors was of utmost importance, ensuring that an inclusive environment was achieved, whilst maintaining privacy between the private and public spaces.
The ice stadium and sports centre were designed in accordance with Sport England documentation, to ensure that access was afforded by both professional sports persons and spectators (in the case of events), recreational users, visitors and staff working within the building.
Client: St. Martin’s Property Investments Ltd
Architect: Ian Simpson Architects
The Chambers Wharf development is based in Southwark, and consists of four private housing buildings, two affordable housing buildings and four commercial buildings.
The commercial and residential accommodation proposals adhered to the recommendations set out in the building regulations and London Plan.
This includes the provision of level access throughout the office floor plates, and lift access to all levels of the buildings. Within the residential aspect, this includes the provision of 100% Lifetime Homes compliance and 10% wheelchair accessible housing designation. The wheelchair accessible units were positioned in a variety of locations throughout the different buildings and at different levels.
Client: Henderson Global Investors Ltd & Alfred Dunhill Ltd
The scheme consists of existing buildings which are to be demolished and rebuilt, located on Jermyn Street and Piccadilly.
The proposed building consists of three retail units, five storeys of office accommodation, and two upper levels of residential apartments with the provision of parking at basement level.
The site is located in the heart of central London, providing extensive shopping facilities, theatres, restaurants and bars, and is within close proximity to Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street.
Of utmost importance to this project was creating access to the buildings to achieve an inclusive environment for occupants and visitors, whilst ensuring sensitivity of the new proposals with the surrounding period buildings.
The development of the retail units included liaison with the existing retail tenants, Alfred Dunhill Ltd. This consultation ensured that the needs of the tenant were met in addition to those of the visiting public.
The office accommodation was designed to be inclusive, and included level access, access to the upper levels by means of lifts, and consideration of colour contrast issues throughout the building.
The residential apartments were designed to be Lifetime Homes compliant, to allow someone to make adaptations to their homes in the future, if improvements on access are required. Additionally, wheelchair accessible apartments (designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide) were also provided, to the recommendations set out in the Mayor of London’s London Plan.
Client: Exemplar Properties
Architect: Lifschultz Davidson Sandilands
Goodman’s Fields is located in Aldgate, London, and consists of commercial, residential, hotel, a primary care centre and student accommodation.
The existing public realm around the site was dominated by vehicular traffic and a street infrastructure that was inhospitable to pedestrians. Our involvement in the project included advice on how to bring great potential for creating a more welcoming pedestrian experience.
As well as site-wide issues, our scope also included assessment of the detailed design of the building interiors, including Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Housing Design Guide reviews of apartment layouts, and ensuring lift access was provided to all floors, and that floor plates were level throughout.
Client: European Land & Property Ltd
Architect: Various
Paddington Basin is placed in the heart of London at an exceptional waterside location, on the doorstep of Paddington’s sophisticated infrastructure and cultural surroundings, including excellent communications, superb shopping and local amenities.
Merchant square is a new development situated within Paddington Basin.
The development consists of three office buildings and three residential buildings, with additional retail units.
Our work to date has involved writing various access reports and carrying out reviews of the buildings and the site from pre-planning through to the current construction phases. This has involved liaising with Planning Access Officers, Building Control Officers, as well as working closely with the entire design team.
Residential units have been designed to Lifetime Homes standards, and 10% of the total have been designated as wheelchair accessible, in accordance with the GLA’s London Plan.
Parking bays and cycle bays have been provided in accordance with City of Westminster’s Unitary Development Plan.
In addition to residents and workers, visitors will be encouraged into the public plaza within the centre of the site to enjoy the amenity of the canal, with accessible seating and public toilets being provided.
Landscaping surrounding the development also forms an integral part of the development, with movement encouraged through landscaped areas and walkways. The design of the landscape raises particular issues for access and pedestrian movement. With a need for routes that can be used by all pedestrians, that have adequate rest areas.
Client: Genesis Housing Group
Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
The Mildmay Urban Village development consists of five blocks of residential accommodation, one block of hospital accommodation, a church, a café and a clinic. This is all based on the site of the existing Mildmay Mission Hospital (a family care centre and church).
A project of this diversity requires a wide range of accessibility to suit the needs of a variety of disabilities and impairments. From health care to residential to leisure, provisions were made to make all buildings accessible and inclusive.
The healthcare aspects of the development required consideration from the end user’s perspective, including patients, staff and visitors to the building. Way finding was of utmost importance, ensuring that departments are easily located and the environment is not confusing.
Within the five residential blocks, 10% of the total residential units were designed to be wheelchair accessible (or easily adapted for wheelchair usage). The wheelchair accessible homes offered a variety in size and location, offering the wheelchair user the same choice as non-wheelchair users.
All main entrances feature fully glazed doors of a suitable width, with visible and permanent manifestations. Entrances also consisted of slip resistant floor finish and tactile and visual circulation route signage.
Client: British Land Plc
Architect: Wilkinson Eyre, with the partments by Stephen Marshall Architects
The North East Quadrant (NEQ), Regent’s Place development consists of two schemes.
The first is an office development between eight and 15 storeys. This also houses a community centre and restaurant.
The second is a residential development between eight and 25 storeys incorporating retail accommodation at ground level and a small office above.
The development is located off Euston Road in London, and the public realm and approaches to the site were of as much importance as the building interiors.
All areas, internal and external, were designed to the regulations and best practice guidance to afford access for all.
This included compliance with Lifetime Homes, the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide, Approved Document Part M and BS 8300.
Client: Ballymore
Architect: Various
The Snow Hill development is a three building improvement of the surrounding landscape of one of Birmingham’s major train stations.
The structures consist primarily of retail and residential spaces. The development also consists of a conference centre, restaurants and a hotel.
Key to making this an inclusive area, was reconfiguring the site to omit the pedestrian underpass, in favour of a well managed and controlled crossing.
Also of fundamental importance to a new-build which houses such a variety of amenities is a suitable entrance and exit. This was achieved by designing, alongside a manually operated revolving door, two powered opening doors for the main entrance of each of the buildings.
The retail units lined both the upper and lower entrance levels of the development, maximising commercial potential.
The hotel incorporated a frontage which could be seen from the street and transport links, maximising commercial potential.
The office accommodation was designed to be step free throughout, and all levels were accessible by means of passenger lifts.
The residential apartments were designed with a choice throughout the different buildings, offering a choice of view, location and apartment type.
Client: Brookfield Multiplex
Architect: John Robertson Architects
The Old Burlington St building is located in the Mayfair area of London between Berkeley Square and Bond Street, in the Borough of Westminster. The site has an existing fall of 530mm from Old Burlington Street to Cork Street.
The building consists of three public accessible Basement levels and ground level containing Galleries and eight upper levels contain 42 residential apartments.
Of utmost importance to this project was providing access to the building to achieve an inclusive environment for occupants and the public, whilst ensuring sensitivity of the new proposals with the surrounding period buildings. The existing fall of 530mm was mitigated by use of gently sloping gradients.
Client: Consolidated Developments Ltd
Architect: Orms Architects
The site is located in the London Borough of Camden and comprises a new Gallery building to host events, offices, restaurants and a hotel, and proposes to refurbish and improve the existing retail, residential and office buildings, many of which are listed.
The site is connected to the redevelopment of Charing Cross Road which contains the new Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Station.
The site has connections to Andrew Borde St, Denmark Place and Denmark St.
Access considerations for the site have included the redevelopment of Charing Cross Road and conversation of the existing Heritage buildings.
As a public gallery, access requirements have been of major importance. The existing building refurbishment has been designed to the London Plan requirement with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard.
Client: Greenland Investment
Architect: EPR Architects
Ram Quarter Phase 1 is the first of a three-phased scheme that will consist of more than 650 apartments across a 7.7 acre site. The development will help redefine Wandsworth Town and incorporate a brewery museum and micro-brewery within Phase 1.
The site straddles the River Wandle and is situated on the northern edge of Wandsworth town centre. It is bounded to the south by Wandsworth High Street, to the west by Wandsworth Plain, to the north by Armoury Way, and to the east by Ram Street.
Phase 1 contains existing Heritage buildings and 9 new buildings. The development also provides a vibrant retail and public thoroughfare from Ram Street to Wandsworth High Street.
Access considerations for the site have included the existing topography and conversation of the existing Heritage buildings. Phase 1 has been designed to the London Plan requirement with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide.
Client: Zerum Consult Ltd
Architect: Make Architects
The site is located off Deansgate in the City of Manchester. The development comprises hotel, leisure, residential, and office accommodation and includes new public plazas and associated landscape works. The site has an existing rise from west to east of 4350mm.
The site is bounded by Deansgate in the west, Southmill St in the east, Bootle St in the south and Jacksons Row in the north.
Step free access to the site is provided from Jacksons Row and Southmill St.
The public areas within the site are pedestrian areas only and consist of a lower entrance plaza, an intermediate level and an upper garden plaza. Access between levels is provided by means of public stairs running centrally through the site and two public wheelchair accessible lifts.
The development has been designed to the Manchester City Council requirements, with 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% designed to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide.
Client: Frazer's Property Development Ltd
Architect: Arney Fender Katsalidis
The site is located within the Whitechapel area of London in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. The development comprises two new buildings, combined basements and associated landscape works.
The main building within the development will contain a 4 Star Hotel and office accommodation. A secondary building, separated by a public pedestrian walkway from the main building, will contain a public Gallery and retail units.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard.
Client: Meadow Residential
Architect: Farrells
The site extends to 4.7 ha and consists of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club (DHFC) stadium (including grassed pitch, 3,000 person capacity stand, club house, gym and squash courts), Green Dale Artificial Pitch (providing three 5-a-side football pitches) and Green Dale Playing Fields (an area of green space plus disused tennis courts).
Development proposals include the relocation and redevelopment of the DHFC stadium to the west of existing facilities. The new stadium will provide a 3G all-weather artificial playing pitch, located on the site of the Green Dale Artificial Pitch, plus 4,000 person capacity stand, club house and gym on the western end of the existing stadium.
155 residential units will also be built on the site of the existing DHFC stadium, together with a linear park providing open space and serving as a green link between St Francis Park and Green Dale Playing Fields. A Multi-Use-Games-Area will be provided on the site of the current DHFC pitch, whilst Green Dale Playing Fields will undergo a number of improvements to enhance biodiversity and provide play equipment.
Access arrangements included working closely with the Design team and provided the London Plan requirement of 100% of residences designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard and 10% to the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide standards. This development is at planning stage.
Client: Altitude
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
The site is located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells and is bounded by Church Road in the north, Mount Pleasant Road in the east and Clanricarde Road in the south.
The site has an existing topography which rises 9.3m from south to north and 5m from east to west.
The proposal is for a mixed use redevelopment comprising 3,039 sqm of gross internal area. The development will be comprised of retail outlets, restaurants, a cinema, office accommodation and 108 dwellings together with car and cycle parking, highway works and public realm improvements.
There is also an alternative option whereby the office accommodation would be removed and replaced by a Medical Centre. This will affect the residential unit numbers but will have no effect on the remainder of the development. This development is at planning stage.
Due to the existing topography, access solutions required an innovative approach. The design also provided for 100% of residences being designed to Approved Document Part M, Volume 1, M4(2), Category 2.
Client: British Land Plc
Architect: Arup Associates
The Fenchurch St building forms part of the Plantation Place development in the City of London.
The building is a 15-story office development with retail units.
This building was designed with access fully in mind, such that all relevant regulations and recommendations were met.
Effective use of lighting and colour contrast enabled us to use colour as a means of way finding within the entrance and main circulation areas.
Through consultation with the local authorities, verbal acceptance by both the planning office and building control was given prior to the formal submission, reducing approvals/cost plan risk.
Client: London & Regional Properties
Architect: Make Architects
55 Baker Street consists of an existing commercial building which was refurbished to include office, retail and a health club.
Additional residential accommodation was also added to the building.
The Office area occupies the main part of the site and consists of a basement, ground and 8 upper storeys.
The office areas were designed as accessible, with 5% car parking provision designated for disabled motorists.
The health club was designed to be step free, and accessible from other areas of the building. The fit out was a tenant responsibility, although advice regarding the provision of an inclusive environment was given.
Client: British Land Plc
Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
122 Leadenhall street is situated within the City of London, the heart of the UK financial market.
The development requires the demolition of the existing building and the construction of the Leadenhall Building which will consist of forty-eight levels of office accommodation.
The entrance to the building is made accessible through the use of a step free 1:21 gradient walkway, and by using two powered opening double door sets.
Internally a mixture of escalators and accessible lifts make the reception, bar, terrace and restaurant levels accessible to all. Through following the guidelines set in BS 8300 section 11 both the restaurant and bar areas have been made inclusive.
Client: Mourant Property Trustees Ltd
Architect: KPF Architects
190 Strand consists of a three building development, with a nine storey office block as the main feature of the site accompanied by two residential buildings of six and eight storeys respectively.
The fundamental obstruction to inclusive accessibility on this site is the varying gradients of the surrounding landscape. Unable to alter these existing gradients, we designed level areas in front of all of the entrances to all of the buildings, ranging from 1200 mm through to 2450 mm to give disabled people as much level access as possible.
In addition to this, 25% of the total parking accommodation in the basement of the office building has been designated for disabled users; in the residential buildings, up to 40% of the spaces are designated for use by disabled people. Accessible lifts give staff, visitors and residents direct access to the lobby areas of all three buildings.
Client: Canary Wharf Contractors
Architect: Various
We are the sole access consultants for Canary Wharf contractors, and our work to date has included office, transport and retail developments. This includes office buildings DS3 East and West, Riverside, BP2 and BP4, as well as the new Crossrail station and mall at the Isle of Dogs.
Important to all of these projects was the consideration of access without compromising security, separating the public from staff within commercial areas, and separating the paid and non-paid areas of the station as required.
Linking new developments to the existing Wharf estate was also very important, which included assessment and consideration of existing streetscape and links to the existing shopping mall, infrastructure, vehicular and pedestrian access points. For example, the DS3 West project included a link from the entrance level to the existing shopping mall; BP2 included a public plaza with landscaped features and outdoor seating; the new Crossrail station included the reconfiguration of the adjacent lifting bridge and access roads and also consisted of a new communal landscapes park.
Our work for these projects involved working closely with the architect at all stages to ensure that an inclusive environment was achieved. Our work also involved close liaison with the local authority (including the planning department and Building Control) and other design team specialists (including the fire engineers and transport planners) to discuss such issues.
Assessment throughout the design process ensured that access to each building could be achieved by all visitors and staff, and that all communal areas could be enjoyed by all.
In addition to the shell and core, our work involved the internal fit out, including consideration of furniture layouts, colour contrast, slip resistance of floor finishes and corporate signage for the tenants.
Client: Canon Kirk
Architect: Allies & Morrison
The Friargate Building was a collaboration with Terry Farrell & Partners for phase 1 of the project. The design consisted of two basement car parking levels, a ground level of meeting rooms and a café area, and five upper levels of office accommodation.
Our work also involved advice for subsequent phases, including the removal of the inaccessible subway links from the adjacent Coventry Railway Station and replacement landscaping to achieve an accessible environment.
The project involved working closely with the architects to achieve an accessible building. All levels within the building were designed to have step free access, with 5% car parking provision designated for disabled motorists.
Client: Lend Lease
Architect: Terry Farrell & Partners
Greenwich Peninsula Central is a Terry Farrell & Partners development consisting two blocks of office accommodation.
We were the sole access consultants on this development successfully gaining planning permission and continuing through to practical completion. We worked closely with Farrell’s throughout the design stages fostering a successful partnership that is reflected by the inclusive nature of the final design.
The design of the reception desk within the larger block was one of the key access elements to this development, ensuring wheelchair access both for visitors and for staff. The location of the desk was particularly important to achieve visibility between the desk and the two main entrances, as well as the access core.
Client: Arab Investments Ltd
Architect: KPF
The proposed Pinnacle tower consists of office accommodation, situated in the heart of the City of London.
As well as access for staff and visitors to the building, the client also expressed a desire to improve the approaches to the site, including the provision of a lift and graded route beside an existing access stair.
Providing access without compromising security throughout the tower was achieved by means of a hall-call double-deck lift system.
Client: British Land Plc
Architect: Arup Associates
Ropemaker Place consists of a new office tower, with open plan office floor plates and external landscaped terraces.
This building was designed with access fully in mind, such that all relevant regulations and recommendations were considered; continual liaison with the access officer at the London Borough of Islington was maintained throughout the design and construction processes, ensuring that the building achieved accessibility and inclusivity to a high standard.
Effective use of lighting and colour contrast enabled us to use colour as a means of way finding within the entrance and main circulation areas. This involved working closely with the architects to assess all proposed finishes within the building, for sufficient colour contrast.
Client: Tubelines Ltd
Architect: Foreign Office Architects
The Trinity EC3 development is located within the City of London. The site has a new link to Aldgate Underground Station and direct access to Aldgate Bus Station located within the fabric of the development.
The project consisted of the bus and underground links, as well as three buildings of varying height, including for a shared basement parking level, ground floor retail, open-plan office accommodation, and a roof level restaurant.
Access throughout the commercial buildings was achieved by means of accessible passenger lifts for use by occupants.
Our scope of work included access reviews of the scheme, leading to the production of an access statement for planning purposes.
Client: Lipton Rogers Developments
Architect: PLP Architecture
The site is located in the City of London, Bishopsgate ward. The building contains three basement levels, two entrance/transfer levels, fifty five storeys of office levels, two stories of public gallery and restaurant and three private levels.
The project also includes associated landscape works which have an existing rise from north to south of 780mm along Bishopsgate and 550mm from east to west along Great St. Helen’s.
This project involved many complex access issues which required innovative and state of the art solutions.
Due to the existing topography the building contains two gradients at ground floor level, which have been located to provide level access between the entrances and the lift cores.
Each office level of the building is accessed by means of double deck lifts which also provide access between individual levels. Access to the public restaurant and viewing gallery is by means of express double deck lifts.
Client: Multiplex
Architect: Stiff and Trevillion
The site is located in the City of London, Bishopsgate ward. The development consists of a high-quality mixed-use development. The building provides a six-storey office building with retail at ground and basement level 1, together with the construction of two storey retail pavilions and one storey retail kiosks along the northern pedestrian route connecting Bishopsgate to Old Broad Street.
The project also included significant public realm improvements, including the removal of the existing high level walkways; removal of raised levels to provide step free access between Old Broad Street and Bishopsgate; and landscaping improvements to Fountain Court.
This project involved many complex access issues not least of which was integrating the landscape works into the existing public realm surrounding Tower 42.
Client: HSBC Bank
Architect: HSBC Bank
This project is confidential.
Working with the design team and Local Authority, PCA ensured all access issues were addressed.
Client: Network Rail
Architect: Pascall & Watson Architects
This study concerned the planning application for the redevelopment of Blackfriars station to provide step-free access between the platforms and street level.
This involved works for both the London Underground areas (which serves the Circle and District Lines at sub-surface level) and the National Rail areas (which serves over-ground National Rail services). This required knowledge of both sets of company standards, in addition to generic accessible station design guidance and best practice documents.
The Northern station was served by a shared common entrance. Where company standards conflicted, decisions were made in liaison with both parties and the design team to reach a compromise.
The Southern station was a new build providing step free access from Blackfriars Bridge to the station platforms.
Through consultation with the local authorities, verbal acceptance by the planning office was given prior to the formal submission, reducing approvals/cost plan risk.
Client: Network Rail
Architect: SAS International
An audit was carried out on the City Thames Link station in London to assess its level of accessibility prior to development. This enabled the client to understand what additional works were required on the station to ensure access to its facilities.
The audit required two site visits, one general of the entire site and a second specific visit to reassess potential access issues. Following both visits an access report was produced, complete with photographic evidence, for the client to see where changes were required. Access issues were listed with regard to priority and providing potential solutions to the issues wherever possible.
Key features of this audit included working with a variety of standards, including the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) guidance and also commenting on the working environment within the station and making suggestions on how it could become an accessible workplace for all disabled people.
Client: Delancey Clapham Ltd
This study concerned the planning application for the development of Clapham Junction station to provide step-free access between the platforms and street level, and to the new bus interchange.
The scope included ensuring the most practical and effective form of step free access was achieved and regulations and recommendations were followed.
Part of the scope was to provide the architects with practical design solutions related to the Part 3, 4 and 5 duties of the then Disability Discrimination Act (in relation to employers, service providers and transport duties).
Client: Cross London Rail Link
Architect: Various
Crossrail is an exciting and visionary new railway proposal for London and the South-East. The route goes from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west right across the capital into Essex and Kent in the east. It travels underground through the city centre between Paddington and east London.
Involvement in the Crossrail development includes access services for the integration of Crossrail services with the existing transport provisions at Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street and Custom House stations, as well as consideration of the deep level tunnels, portals, shafts and common design elements.
The scope included ensuring the most practical and effective form of step free access was achieved and regulations and recommendations (including London Underground standards, Crossrail standards and other generic accessible station design best practice documents) were followed, and that continual liaison between different disciplines was maintained to achieve coordinated design proposals for the client.
An additional aspect of this work was the review of all inner London station designs.
Client: East Midlands Airport
Architect: Pascall & Watson Architects
This study concerned the planning application for the redevelopment of Nottingham East Midlands Airport to ensure that step-free access is achieved within all areas of the airport. The airport is surrounded by the cities of Nottingham, Derby and Leicester and within easy reach of Sheffield, Stoke-upon-Trent and Tamworth.
Our work included consideration of visitors, passengers and staff within the arrivals and departures, public and private, and on both sides of the security line. Our work also included consideration of drop-off and pick-up points, in relation to the different car parks (short, medium and long stay).
Client: Tubelines Ltd
Architect: Arup Associates
This study concerned the redevelopment of Euston underground station to enhance the communication links between the main concourse and the Underground and to provide step-free access to the platforms.
An integral part of this work was to consider the train to platform interface within the underground system and to create a tunnel link between Euston and Euston Square stations.
One of the key challenges addressed was to develop a phased implementation timetable ensuring the least disruption to the station operation.
Client: London Underground Ltd
Architect: Various
As part of the redevelopment of St Pancras station as the London International terminus for Eurostar and domestic trains, Arup were employed to provide multi-disciplinary services.
This included access consultancy services throughout the design stages, to provide step-free access to all passengers and members of staff.
Access consultancy services included advising on the new northern and western Underground ticket halls; tunnel links between the Underground ticket halls and Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations; the main concourse of both St. Pancras and Kings Cross stations.
This involved working with existing site and structural constraints, as well as English Heritage issues relating to the Grade 1 Listed building.
The station entrances are located at street level and provide level access to the lower concourse, where lifts are provided to assist access to other floors. The station also contains accessible toilet facilities within both public and staff areas.
Client: Stratford City Developments Ltd
This study concerned the development for the Northern Ticket Hall at Stratford station. The scope included ensuring the most practical and effective form of step free access was achieved between street and ticket hall, ticket hall and subways (existing) and ticket hall and platforms (also existing).
Part of the scope was to provide the Architects with practical design solutions related to the Part III duties of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The work also included consultation sessions with the Stratford City Consultative Access Group (SCCAG) and other relevant user groups.
In all instances, LU standards were adopted and where possible implemented.
Client: Transport for London
Architect: Arup Associates
This project involved the redesign of Vauxhall Cross Bus Interchange in London. The interchange was the connecting hub between the underground system, overland rail and bus terminal. This also required a review of the accessibility of the buses themselves.
A particularly aspect of the project was to ensure the operation of the existing bus interchange was not affected during construction.
This project involved a Design Access Appraisal and Access report for the proposed development. This required working closely with the Architect on the concept and detail design, landscaping and determination of materials to ensure the compatibility of the development in relation to existing regulations.
Client: United House
Architect: Mackay & Partners LLP Architects
The work carried out consisted of reviews and design guidance for typical apartments. All apartments were assessed with regard to the 16 Lifetime Homes Standards and Wheelchair Accessible Housing was assessed in accordance with the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide.
Close liaison with both Paul Gibson (United House) and Emma Seabright (Mackay & Partners LLP Architects) on a design development basis took place, to achieve the relevant standards for housing in line with the London Plan and SPG.
The development received a What House? Award 2011 for Best Apartment Scheme.
Client: Cathedral Group Plc
Architect: Studio Egret West
Clapham One is a £80 million landmark scheme, consisting of new public facilities and high quality residential units in the London Borough of Lambeth.
The housing has been designed in accordance with the London Plan and the local development plans. This has included 10% designation of wheelchair accessible units, with the remainder compliant with Lifetime Homes standards.
In addition to the housing, a new library and primary care centre (PCC) have been provided.
For both of these public facilities, it was key that the buildings were accessible for all occupants, including for the public (patients/library users), staff and visitors.
Clapham One received The Daily Telegraph British Homes Award 2011: Housing Project of the Year.
Client: Houston Morris Architects
The Kensington High Street development is a twelve storey building comprising of restaurants and retail on the lower floors, office space on the central floors, residential apartments on the upper floors and car parking spaces in the basement.
The development has two entrances, one gives access to the residential section of the building the other to the offices.
The entrance to the offices is designed to have one four leaf, manually operated revolving door, flanked by two fully glazed powered opening doors. The residential entrance has one set of powered opening double doors. Both entrances have been designed to achieve level access.
Ten percent of the accommodation is spatially designed to allow for future conversion for wheelchair use, and on floors five through to eleven there are two wheelchair accessible communal areas.
Client: Cambulo Property Ltd
Architect: David Chipperfield Architects
The Kensington Park and Kensington Palace Hotels redevelopment is located within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. There are ten levels occupied by residential apartments: lower ground, ground floor and eight levels from first floor upwards. There are two basement parking levels (-2 and -3) and additional leisure facilities at lower ground level (-1) for use by residents only.
The building provided a choice of entrances for the residents, including three main communal entrances located on Kensington Road, Victoria Road and De Vere Gardens. In addition to this, there were also secondary residential entrances to the ground floor residential units contained within the existing façades fronting Victoria Road and De Vere Gardens. Offering choice for occupants of the building could also be seen through the provision of accessible units.
100% of residential units were designed to Lifetime Homes standards, and 10% of the total were designated as wheelchair accessible, in accordance with the GLA’s London Plan. The wheelchair accessible units included different apartment types across different levels and locations within the building.
Client: Project Grande (Guernsey) Ltd
Architect: Various
The One Hyde Park project consists of four linked blocks of residential and retail accommodation, including parking in the basements and supporting leisure facilities.
The four blocks vary in height ranging from nine to thirteen storeys, with three levels of basement containing two floors of residential parking and one level of leisure facilities. The leisure facilities include a gym and swimming pool, all designed to the recommendations set out in ‘Sport England – Access for disabled people guidance notes’.
Entrances to the buildings have been designed to be step free.
All apartments are spatially designed to allow for the future conversion for wheelchair users. This includes the multi-level penthouse suites, affording the wheelchair user a totally inclusive choice of accommodation.
Client: Stanley Sidings Ltd
Architect: AHMM
Torbay Street is a residential development incorporating both private and social housing.
The scheme incorporated Lifetime Homes and wheelchair accessible housing, and also considered Lifetime Neighbourhood aspects – for example, proximity and routes to local amenities.
The residential development is located close to existing and proposed shopping facilities. Discussions were also held regarding the provision of a health club on the Ground Floor, for residents use.
Client: St Martin’s Property Corporation
Architect: John McAslan & Partners
5 Cheapside is located in the heart of the City of London in a district of major refurbishment in recent years. It lies at the western-most end of Cheapside and shares a border with the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral. The development will comprise six storeys of office accommodation and two levels of retail at street level and at basement level.
Key to this development was providing clear, barrier free access to both the office developments and the retail units, allowing the building to be designed as one but operate as separate entities.
The retail portion of this development provided the potential for four tenants on the street level, two of which would have additional floor space at basement level. The two duplex units provided a design challenge as they needed to be linked to the main core for egress reasons but also had to be kept separate from the office circulation areas.
Also of importance was the provision of soft spots within the units so that an access lift could be provided at a later date. This would be in line with the chosen tenant’s duty under the Equality Act.
Client: Stanley Sidings Ltd
Architect: AHMM
Camden Lock Village is a retail development, which has been designed to be sympathetic in character to the adjacent Stables Market.
The development included incorporation of some existing frontages, and access from the existing street and canal environment.
There is a total of three levels of retail, and individual units are accessible by means of stairs, lifts and graded routes.
The Torbay Street development is located adjacent to Camden Lock Canal and is comprised of retail and residential accommodation.
The retail and residential accommodation proposals adhered to the recommendations set out in the regulations and London Plan.
The proposals improved links to the canal from the existing streetscape.
Particular consideration was given to the gradients and edge markings at the canal edge, and how the water edge could be enjoyed safely and conveniently by all.
Client: Canary Wharf Contractors
Architect: Fosters
Work for the retail study involved working closely with the architect to ensure that an inclusive environment was achieved.
The development consisted of retail units and a communal landscaped park, as well as the new Crossrail station at the Isle of Dogs.
Assessment throughout the design process ensured that access to each of the retail units could be achieved by all visitors and staff, and that the park could also be enjoyed by all, without compromising the safety and security of the area.
Linking this new development to the Wharf estate (including the existing shopping malls) was very important, and included assessment of existing streetscape, infrastructure and vehicular and pedestrian access points.
An access strategy was required for the development to ensure that access to the non-paid areas and to the paid station areas were accessible but secure.
Client: Cardiff City Football Club
Architect: Holder Mathias Architects
Our involvement in the development was to provide access advice and design guidance for the internal areas of the Cardiff City stadium.
Key to designing this stadium for 25,000 spectators was to provide all potential spectators, regardless of their disability, an equal experience.
This was achieved by providing a total of 170 wheelchair spaces with varying viewing positions, also including premium areas, boxes, the media tribune and the Chairman’s balcony. In addition to these spaces accompanying companion seats were made available.
Client: Manchester City Council
Architect: Arup Associates
This iconic structure was designed to act as the focal point of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and following the games as a football stadium for Manchester City Football Team (Etihad Stadium).
Key to designing a successful venue for over 45,000 spectators is to make sure that everyone’s view is as clear and unobstructed as possible. Also providing all potential spectators, regardless of their disability equal choice in their viewing position.
This was achieved in the Manchester stadium by providing a total of 322 wheelchair spaces at all viewing tiers, from pitch level to the corporate boxes. In addition to these spaces a further 267 seats were made available for companions.
Built into the stadium is an Audio Frequency Induction Loop, which is provided to facilitate the use of headsets, linked to match commentary and general/emergency announcements.
Client: London Development Agency (LDA)
Architect: Arup Associates
Involvement in the refurbishment of Crystal Palace was to provide access advice and design guidance for the internal changing areas of the existing sports centre.
The challenges faced by the design team included working within existing constraints on a listed building.
Key to the success of the project was working closely with the architects throughout, to ensure that access was an integral part of the design process.
Client: Imperial College
Architect: Arup Associates
The Imperial College Sports & Leisure Complex is located in the heart of Kensington, London.
The building is a seven storey structure of which the lower floors and basements are comprised of a sports centre, including a swimming pool, fitness suite and dance studio.
One of the key challenges addressed by the access strategy was the retention of the existing foundations which are set at 1.2 m above street level.
The retention of the foundations had a beneficial impact on both cost and programme.
Client: Olympic Delivery Authority
Architect: Various
Creating Olympic venues that are accessible for both spectators and athletes poses quite a challenge. A wealth of experience in accessible design helped to ensure the 2012 Olympics where the most inclusive Games ever held.
“Accessibility planning means the Olympic Park can be used by everyone – both during the Games and in the future.” — Peter Connell
To meet the challenge of delivering an inclusive Olympics, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) created a set of guidelines, the Inclusive Design Standards, to outline the principles for accessibility. Peter Connell was seconded to the ODA for a period of time and was involved in the consultation process for the document, providing recommendations on the final content. Peter also provided Access Consultancy services for the masterplan, several individual venues and public spaces.
Considering all potential end users, including spectators, staff and athletes, required working with the respective design teams to ensure that an inclusive environment was created, making the venues and public spaces accessible for all.
Spectator accessibility has been considered throughout, from arrival at the venue, the event experience and the exiting strategy. Seating within these venues was designed to accommodate a wider range of users, which include wheelchair accessible viewing areas, amenity seating, and accompanying companion seating.
Peter ensured the Handball Arena upper level concourse seating was specifically designed so it can be added to or removed as needed. This provides the flexibility to accommodate large groups of wheelchair users, or to leave individual seats in place for companions.
The Handball Arena received a Commendation for Universal Design Consultant at the Civic Truse Awards 2013.