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The Royal Exchange case study
The case study from Access by Design, Issue 90, Spring 2002, as generously supplied by the Centre for Accessible Environments is accessed by clicking on the PDF icon (opens in a new window)
"The Royal Exchange is a Grade I listed building and, as is common which buildings
of this calibre, providing access is often the most challenging design issue. Access
has to be achieved without major disruption or interference to the listed fabric."
Michael Puckett, then Associate, Fitzroy Robinson Limited (Architect)
"From the outset of the project, the Corporation insisted on a number of provisos, each having implications for the access provision. They included:
- the structure of the shop units should be sympathetic to the existing listed building fabric. The architectural quality of the internal courtyard should not be compromised
- all retail units on the ground floor were to have level access from the courtyard and a lift would have to be installed somewhere in the building in order to access the shops on the mezzanine level and WC facilities at basement level
- all members of the public should be able to view the 24 murals which line the walls of the cloister. These murals depict scenes of the history of London and have no equal anywhere in the capital"
Sue Lines (then City of London Corporation Access Officer)
"The staff and management of the Royal Exchange offer sensitive assistance with an open, positive attitude towards helping visitors about the site. This greatly enhances the accessibility of the building and the access to the services available. There are many issues to overcome, but these are mostly affected by the listed status of the building."
Cassie Herschel-Shorland, (Access consultant)
Inside the Royal Exchange.
Copyright Peter Cook, courtesy of Aukett Fitzroy Robinson.
Click here to open a new window for the Royal Exchange web site
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