Innovation in Disabled Access for I.C.E
The Institution of Civil Engineers is a vibrant organisation with headquarters at One Great George Street, between Parliament Square and St James' Park in central London. F+M were asked to resolve the poor disabled access to this fine grade II listed building in late 2006. Various options were considered and, after discussions with Westminster City Council, an amenable solution was selected.
The solution was to design and install two bespoke concealed platform lifts which are normally covered by the two flights of steps. When a button is pressed by a wheelchair user half of a flight will retract revealing the platform lifts with rising handrails and controls. Automatic doors, demountable bespoke handrails and new floor finishes complete a very smart and satisfactory solution completed in a tight eight week shutdown period.
The project has thus far reached the last three finalists of the M&IT awards 2008 and is being nominated for the British Construction Industry Awards.