Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship 2005 Providing Disabled Access to Historic Buildings US, Sweden, Norway and Denmark

Transcription

1 Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship 2005 Providing Disabled Access to Historic Buildings US, Sweden, Norway and Denmark Rita Harkin Research Officer Ulster Architectural Heritage Society 1

2 b. Section Two Background I was awarded a Fellowship to study best practice in the provision of disabled access to historic buildings. My application was made against the backdrop of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act, which emerged in October It asks that reasonable provision be made to access goods and services when carrying out alterations by removing, altering or avoiding barriers to access. While listed building legislation is not overridden, older buildings often contain central functions for use by the public and the too tardy priority afforded to full accessibility should of course be reflected in the built environment. However through my work as research officer for the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, I had become increasingly aware of the emergence of low quality, panicky alterations, which were tacked onto and detracted from historic fabric, using standardised approaches where tailored solutions are required. Indeed functions are being moved out of historic buildings lock stock and barrel so that everyone misses out on their special attributes. Pragmatism is not prevailing, the result of no real debate on this often contentious issue, leaving us a few decades behind the US and Scandinavia. Ulster People s College, Belfast The Times I chose the US because it had the earliest legislation and Scandinavia because of its renowned social conscience coupled with a strong design ethic. Sweden in particular has been the driving force behind the Design for All concept, for which it is recognised among the Nordic states and internationally. While I tried to look at provision for the widest range of needs, my focus was on wheelchair users, given the particular challenge accommodating this type of disability can present to historic fabric. 2

3 Preparation I contacted Disability Action, ADAPT NI, lecturers on access from the Queen s University of Belfast and University of Ulster architecture departments and spoke at length with registered access consultant and conservation architect, Robin Kent who was extremely generous with his time, knowledge and contacts. United States The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 is federal law which builds on the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and each state has its own law regarding accessibility. Changes to buildings listed on the National Register must conform with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. If following either set of standards would threaten or destroy the historical significance of the property, alternative standards, which provide a minimal level of access, may be used. This decision must be made in consultation with the appropriate historic advisory board designated in the Standards, (State Historic Preservation Officers) and interested persons should be invited to participate in the decision-making process. The Department of Justice website elaborates that: Structural changes to these facilities that would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the property or would fundamentally affect the program being offered at the facility need not be undertaken. Nevertheless a city must consider alternatives to structural changes in these instances including audio visual aides to depict the in accessible portions of the facility and other innovative solutions. Washington DC The seat of government was a good starting point and I arrived in Washington DC on Memorial Day when a few hundred thousand bikers gathered for Rolling Thunder, kick started (as it were) by the Vietnam Veterans. This was just one of many memorable happenings and encounters which served to enrich my fellowship and seemed somehow appropriate given that it was the strong Veterans lobby which led to the first disability legislation being enacted. 3

4 My first formal visit was to the Smithsonian Institute where an audit of all the museums had been carried out and a range of features incorporated including automatic opening doors, using existing historic fabric, and staggered height counters and information kiosks. The design conscious trustees of the Freer Gallery used extremely high quality materials and sensitive approaches for signage, phones and water fountains. Smithsonian Institute Members of the Institute of American Architects related how universal access is still not viewed as an interesting design challenge in architecture schools but more of a tag on necessity. Dramatic re-imaging is still required. At the Octagon Museum, attached to the American Architecture Foundation, the importance of regular maintenance was evident. Octagon Museum New York The conflicting demands of increased security and broadened access, especially in the wake of 9/11, were apparent at New York City Hall, where numerous additional physical barriers had been erected. I visited Mayor s Office for People with Disabilities and was party to presentations at the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission hearings, where the classic New York stoops presented a very real problem. These brownstone steps are key to the city s character and identity and are constantly used in television and film as a defining backdrop. 4

5 In Lexington and 3 rd, an attempt was made to remove the stoop but was strongly opposed by the neighbourhood group. The solutions tabled at the Commission hearings were visually disruptive and highlighted the lack of design awareness among manufacturers of equipment, which proved to be a recurring issue. I was lucky enough to be party to wonderful testimonials to the Commission from grand old dames from the Upper West Side supporting listing of the Plaza Hotel interiors, recollecting evenings spent there with Truman Capote. It was interesting to compare the open nature of the debate on proposed listings and the assessment of planning applications with the much less transparent approach at home. One of the most bolshy approaches encountered was in the Chelsea District of New York where Future Systems (responsible for Lords Media centre) introduced this novel entrance to the Comme des Garçons shop and signage at the Chrysler building gave a good natured nod towards the art deco era from which it emerged. Brownstone solution Commes des Garcons (Future Systems) Rhode Island The property manager guided me around the outrageously extravagant Newport Mansions, including the Vanderbilt s summer cottage The Breakers and demonstrated their often simple but effective solutions. It was true in many cases that small, thoughtful measures can make an enormous difference. I also took the opportunity to visit historic coastal pilgrim villages like Wickford where the buildings present enormous challenges. 5

6 Boston Boston is home to a wide range of disability groups and historical organisations and provided a rich source of solutions. The comprehensive provision at the Harvard University campus was particularly impressive and the architectural significance of architectural features had clearly been assessed at the outset. Its access officer highlighted the value of providing clear maps and online information showing access routes and remaining barriers to access. Unfortunately people with disabilities are regularly confronted with obstacles and are keen to anticipate any difficulties. Harvard campus and map Adaptive Environments is at the forefront of promoting universal access and was indispensable in setting up contacts across the city. With its director s assistance, I was able to meet staff from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board, the Disability Commission and Massachusetts Historical Commission, which is consulted on applications affecting historic buildings listed on the national register. Though universal access through the main entrance is the ultimate aspiration, and achieved at the Boston Meeting House by changing the grade of the ground, sometimes it is not possible. Boston Meeting House Amesbury Library 6

7 Most of the access officers I met were wheelchair users and all demonstrated a remarkable understanding and respect for the historic built environment. Joseph Liberty, a member of the Architectural Access Board has been a wheelchair user for over forty years. When consulted on a scheme to allow access to the main entrance of the Amesbury Library, his letter replied: I don t care how much you throw at this entrance, you will not be successful in providing accessibility without destroying the magnificence of this 100 year old library. A solution was agreed to the rear. Attitude of employers and staff is critical and the sign announcing that this barber s shop in Beacon Hill is wheelchair accessible shows that while the barber cannot provide a permanent ramp in this case, he is more than wiling to facilitate access by other means. Carefully selected planting helps integrate new ramps with historic fabric, dramatically softening the impact and railings (prescribed by the building code) were sometimes dropped from ramps where they were deemed visually disruptive. Back Bay church Boston Public Library Auxiliary aides like the wayfinding system in the Thomas Crane library, incorporating a braille map and rail together with an audio guide are beginning to be developed. 7

8 SCANDINAVIA Sweden Swedish Parliament has resolved that all government authorities are to set an example in promoting full participation in society for people with disabilities by 2010 under a policy called From Patient to Citizen. Sweden did prove to be the most advanced of all the countries visited. Design for All is viewed as being an integral part of sustainable development and between 1999 and 2004 the government has invested SEK 500m in the Accessibility Project. Stockholm s Gamla Stan or old town is largely composed of 17 th and 18 th century merchants houses and can be difficult to negotiate, though walking tours geared towards those with disabilities have been in existence since This demonstrates a typically proactive, positive attitude, creating opportunities for inclusion, where possible. Information on access to buildings across the city is available on the website While a universal entrance to the National Gallery was not possible, another door was inserted, with a sign including a pram as well wheelchair symbol, reinforcing the point that improved access for wheelchair users has wider community benefits. At the 17 th century Royal Palace of Drottningholm, a mini Versailles to the west of the city, by Tessin the Elder, there are a number of delightful buildings in the grounds including the guards tent, a stand alone dining room called the conversation, and the 18 th century Chinese Pavilion or summer house. It has recently had a removable hydraulic lift added but it is rather brutal, as is the stairlift to the 17 th century Wrangel Palace, also by Tessin. 8

9 Chinese Pavilion Wrangel Palace It is deeply disappointing how little design awareness exists among manufacturers of access equipment even in Sweden. My concern was shared by Elena Sire, an architect based in the Royal Technical University, who has written extensively on access to the built environment. The issue had been raised during Swedish Year of Design However there is a wide array of positive examples. In the medieval university town of Uppsala north of Stockholm the 17 th onion domed building called the Gustavianum, housed the anatomical theatre. The front entrance was deemed inaccessible and changing floor levels meant that it made sense to enter through the rear elevation, which is equally attractive. Inside the lifts were painted to match the simple interior decoration and displays were created to allow children and wheelchair users to view the exhibits. Gustavianum, Uppsala 9

10 The National Heritage Board showed me a number of projects they had completed on their properties including the addition of a lift to an iron mill. It demonstrated how small additions which match historic fabric can be effective. Extensions of a bigger scale usually work better when clearly distinguished and contemporary in nature. They had also introduced routes through the landscape at Skane and interpretive material for the runes using clear contrasting colours and braille. The Nordic Council on Disability Policy is now addressing the built environment in a more holistic way through its Town Planning For All programme, which aims to influence master plans for areas, including historic towns like Halmstad which recently won an award for works to the public realm. The Design for All jury team issued a general statement, which explains its approach to the historic built environment: Buildings of cultural and historic interest belong to the common heritage which gives our society its identity, on both a visual and philosophical plane. Access to these buildings is a natural condition in order for cultural landmarks to continue as a common point of reference and an inspiration for coming generations. It acknowledges that the ideal of providing access that cannot be seen undeniably represents a major challenge for architects. 10

11 Norway From Stockholm I was very excited to take the super high speed X2000 train to Oslo, which probably for the first time in its clockwork existence, broke down twice. An anticipated 2 hour race through the forests and lakes turned into a 6 hour trundle by bus. I began to feel very much at home. In Oslo, I visited Fortidsminneforeningen (the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments), one of the world s oldest amenity societies which has saved and restored over 40 nationally important buildings including the remarkable 12 th C stave church at Borgund. It was accepted here that wheelchair access across the narrow wooden threshold, with its carved portals could not be achieved. A virtual tour is being created in the interpretative centre nearby. Borgund Stave Church I visited the Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the Nordic World Heritage Foundation neither of which were addressing access in a structured way, but the latter agreed to suggest that it be incorporated into the checklist when assessing world heritage sites. Sweden At the 17 th century Läckö Castle on the edge of Lake Vanern, near Gothenburg, the National Property Board is carrying out a pilot accessibility exercise with Bygg Klokt or Build Wise (an umbrella organisation of disability groups), consulting with them from the beginning and throughout the process. Paths have been regraded around the castle, marked for varying abilities and paved areas created through cobbles to reach the chapel and courtyard, but all parties agreed that due to changing levels, the only other room that could be made accessible was an interpretative space where the pilot study is explained and a virtual tour available along with a model, audio and braille guides. 11

12 The kitchen garden can also now be reached and an obviously temporary ramp has been constructed until the best design solution is agreed. It is a long, thoughtful and ongoing process where ideas are constantly tested and which is recorded to inform future schemes. Another pilot scheme at Wrangel Palace, which now houses the Court of Appeal, addresses physical access but looks particularly at the often ignored issue of egress, and here an evacuation lift has been introduced. A DVD on the project has been produced to disseminate findings. All National Property Board staff have undergone disability awareness training. An update on their initiatives can be viewed at: 12

13 Denmark It was immediately apparent in Copenhagen that the space between buildings is being addressed, permitting more independent, continuous and therefore spontaneous movement. It was also Year of Design in Denmark and the Danish Design Centre exhibited an innovative braille map for the historic square of Charlottenberg. Grade changes had taken place at key entrances to the royal palace among other historic buildings, with their sense of arrival and importance retained. The contemporary lift and paving opening up access via the courtyard at the 18 th century Ministry for Culture building won a Design for All award. Strong contrasting colours have made the interiors much easier to negotiate for those with visual impairments. 13

14 Kronborg, Helsingor The Palaces and Properties Agency had created paving along desire lines throughout the site at this spectacular Renaissance castle, (the inspiration for Hamlet, situated on the narrow Sound between Denmark and Sweden), allowing for continuous independent movement. Ramps are simple and permanent, using high quality materials and are distinct from the original fabric. Again due to ever changing levels, access to date is confined to parts of the ground floor and the magnificent 16 th century chapel. The case studies included in this report are only a sample of those collected during my seven week fellowship and they are being added to all the time. I returned to Stockholm in October 2005 for a major conference on Accessibility in the Nordic Cultural Heritage, where I got the opportunity to develop further contacts with key players from Finland and Iceland. I hope to avail of this wide network and build stronger alliances with those involved in access provision closer to home. 14

15 Conclusions Allowing time for debate and testing of ideas, aesthetically pleasing solutions should be possible and good design is fundamental to dignified access. Simple, tailored designs using high quality materials are often most effective. A thorough assessment of the architectural and historical significance of an historic building s elements forms the critical starting point for all successful schemes. Meaningful consultation is vital. The best resolutions involved disabled users at the outset and throughout the process. Universal design needs to permeate architectural training, instead of being viewed as an necessary tag on. Constraints of existing buildings should be viewed as a challenging context that informs the design process and encourages technological innovation. Considerable and concerted pressure needs to be placed on industry to improve the design of equipment and the European Institute for Design and Disability could act as a lobbying vehicle to this end. If physical alterations are not possible, then management solutions become all the more important, though clearly both should go hand in hand. The use of websites to provide information on access should be fully exploited given the dependence of many users on alerts in advance. Political acceptance and support was central to Sweden s remarkable progress in this area. The Nordic Design for All and subsequent Town Planning for All awards have served as an excellent platform for the promotion of best practice and open debate. Such schemes could be replicated across the UK. Public acknowledgement is a great incentive. 15

16 Acknowledgements I would like to offer my deepest gratitude to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust for affording me this unique opportunity to encounter inspirational champions striving to create a built heritage for all. I would also like to thank the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society committee and its then chairman Peter Marlow in particular for their support. My fellowship proved to be, as billed, a chance of a lifetime experience from which I am sure I will benefit for many years to come. I hope that the fruits of my fellowship will fuel further open debate and encourage a flexible, pragmatic approach to overcoming barriers to access. 16

17 Appendix Itinerary US 28 th May 2nd June Washington Smithsonian Institute Institute of American Architects 2 nd 10 th June New York Landmarks Preservation Commission Mayor s Office for People with Disabilities New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art East Side Tenement Museum 10 th 22 nd June Boston Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Adaptive Environments Massachusetts Historical Commission National Trust Newport - Preservation Society Scandinavia 12 th 21 st August Sweden Stockholm - Royal Institute of Technology National Property Board National Heritage Board Bygg Klokt (Build Wise) European Institute for Design and Disability Nordic Council on Disability Policy Uppsala - Gustavianum Gotheburg (24 th 29 th August) 21 st 24 th August Norway Oslo - Norwegian Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments Directorate of Cultural Heritage Nordic World Heritage Foundation 29 th August- 3 rd Sept Denmark Copenhagen - Palaces and Properties Agency Architecture Centre University of Copenhagen Helsingor - Kronborg Castle 17