Montserrat Abbey in Spain : access in a steep environment Fondation Abadia de Montserrat
PROJECT PASSPORT Type of site : religious heritage Country : Spain Main access works : 1. Visitor access : increased pedestrianisation 2. Access to buildings : from spatial re-organisation to minor changes 3. New technologies in the service of preparing the visit Players : - Client : Abbey of Montserrat Foundation 2025 - Project manager : Francesc Aragall, président de la Design For All foundation This view of the abbey, founded in 1025, highlights the challenging terrain. Fondation Abadia de Montserrat - P2 - Find out more : www.abadiamontserrat.net www.designforall.org
UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT Context Location : - 38 Miles (60 km) from Barcelona - steeped in the mountains within a 20 square miles (50 square km) big nature reserve. Description : - shrine of Our Lady of Monserrat ; - community of Benedictine monks ; - museum, library, choir school. Tourist value : - symbol of Catalan identity ; - 2,3 million visitors per year, of whom 47% are foreign visitors. Access challenges : Improving accessibility for all is an objective of the Abbey of Montserrat Foundation (Fundacio Abadia de Montserrat) 2025 This graph of Montserrat Abbey highlights the complexity of an expansive site, with its museum, library, shrine, nature reserve. etc. Fondation Abadia de Montserrat - P3 - How to reconcile the important need for access with the steep nature of the site - the difference in height between the lowest and highest point being 640 yards (585 m)?
1. GETTING THERE Salient accessibility and inclusive design features Methodology The access assessment identified 1,348 critical points. To meet this sizable challenge, the decision was taken to make accessibility a part of the overall strategy for renovation and enhancing the tourist attractiveness of the site. The programme of access works undertaken at this historical and protected site has been respectful of heritage and has contributed to its enhancement. Before 1. Visitor access : a new type of circulation A. The choice of increased pedestrianisation The great number of cars and disorderly parking congested the spaces used by visitors and and hindered their free movement. A limit was put on the number of cars and priority was given to public transport and pedestrian walkways on the site. This has considerably improved the situation of people with mobility difficulties. After - P4 - «It was not possible to tackle the improvements «item by item»: accessibility requires a comprehensive approach.» Francesc Arragal, President, Design for All Foundation. This photo illustrates the choice made to limit driving and parking on the site. This intervention allows separation between different ways of access and usages, freeing up more space for pedestrians.
1. GETTING THERE B. Joined up public transport The strategy selected consisted in the creation of a seamless access sequence ranging from the funicular railway to signage. This approach has allowed the freeing-up of sufficient space to resolve the challenges raised by the steep drops on the site and of congestion. The stops of the shuttle act as orientation points. Signage is highly visible by design : - central location of the information panel - colour coding of each zone - information in several languages - strong contrast - braille and audio signs The joining up of all design challenges is at the heart of the design for all approach : focusing on disability access alone is not a good way forward. @ Fondation Abadia de Montserrat @ Fondation Abadia de Montserrat the funicular train makes arrival by public transport a popular option for visitors. two funicular trains transport visitors up to the site and to the panoramic viewpoint, resulting in reduced use of cars. a shuttle provides a means of transport on the site. signage is highly visible by design. - P5 -
2. ACCESS TO THE BUILDINGS 2. Access to the buildings : different strategies A. Changing the organisation of a building in the event of technical impossibility The original entry of the museum, located in the upper part of the site, was accessible only via a flight of stairs. The original entry It would have been unsatisfactory to install a stair lift. A total re-organisaton of the spaces was needed. - P6 - In a steep environment, accessibility projects may require a greater degree of re-organisation of buildings : several options need to be considered, with a detailed analysis of the pros and cons, ranging from minor to more significant changes. The Queen s House case-study is an other example of this type of challenge. The new entry The original entry was accessible only via a flight of stairs. A wholesome reorganisation of the spaces provided a solution to the problem.
2. ACCESS TO THE BUILDINGS B. Vertical circulations : slopes and elevators Replacement of an old style portable ramp (left) by a ramp that contrasts better with the environment (right) : its contemporary design allows for a better legibility of the space. Portable and reversible ramps and slopes have been widely used as a solution. In line with the need for heritage preservation, instead of slopes made of concrete, contemporary slopes have been chosen, which contrast with the building. Two types of elevators were installed : - P7 - - an platform lift to reach the next floor level (principle of maximum intervention) - a stair lift (principle of minimum intervention). Two types of elevators have been installed for people with mobility difficulties: the platform lift (left) is generally preferable to a stair lift (right) for reasons of security, comfort and aesthetics.
3. PREPARING THE VISIT 3. New technologies help prepare the visit People with mobility difficulties tend to prepare their visit in advance, to select the least tiring and most accessible route. Virtual tours do not in any case replace the visit onsite. They are an alternative interpretive tool that allows to anticipate the visit and avoid stress and fatigue. - P8 - Screenshot of the online 3D virtual visit. It considerably assists the discovery of the abbey. A virtual tour is not a substitute to an inaccessible venue. It is a means of preparing the visit to the site.
CONCLUSION Conclusion The sizeable means deployed at Monserrat to undertake the programme of works is fairly exceptional. The accessibility of the site, which presented real problems, has been integrated into a programme of works at enhancing site attractiveness : the visitor access strategy had been completely modified in a spirit of «sustainable development» and required undertaking several big renovation projects. The site is not yet fully accessible, for example in terms of accessible way finding, even though signage and transport has been adapted. However, the holistic approach and the awareness raised create the foundation for new programmes of improvement in the future. Read more Bibliography : www.montserratvisita.com www.abadiamontserrat.net www.amicsdemontserrat.cat www.escolania.net www.pamsa.com www.bibliotecademontserrat.net www.santuarielmiracle.com www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/faq/questions/193/disabled-access-facilities-at-montserrat-monastery%3f Link for professionals : www.townsandcities.designforall.org Tips for teachers In which way can accessibility shape the overall development programme of a site? How do soft circulations improve site accessibility? What connections exist between accessibility and soft circulations? Expert : Francesc Arragal, President, Design for all Foundation Photo credits : courtesy of the Design for All Foundation and the Monserrat Abbey Foundation Date : May 2014 - P9 -