Universal Design and Access Consultancy Services on repairs and restoration to one of the world’s oldest banking halls
This ongoing project will deliver improved facilities for customers and improved workspaces for colleagues at Bank of Ireland, College Green Complex. The proposed five-year project comprises extensive repairs and restoration to buildings housing one of world’s oldest banking halls and is the largest single investment in College Green in more than 200 years.
College Green is one of Ireland’s most significant protected structures, holding the distinction as the world’s first purpose-built bicameral/dual chamber parliament house; and one of the oldest banking halls in continuous use in the world. The nature of the building function requires adherence to strict security protocols. With all this in mind, OHAC was tasked with providing recommendations for improvements which struck a balance between accessibility, conservation and security. OHAC carried out Access Audits, Universal Design Consultancy and Technical Advisory services on this project.
Access Audit
OHAC attended information gathering sessions and design team meetings with BOI construction manager and conservation architects prior to the audit visits. During the site visits OHAC engaged in numerous discussions with BOI staff to gain a unique insight into existing barriers and challenges to accessibility within the workplace, in accessing banking services, information and customer services, function and event services and public tours of the banking hall and House of Lords. OHAC produced a comprehensive report, specifically tailored to BOI’s needs, which identified the existing barriers to accessibility, and provided recommendations to ensure compliance with current legislative requirements, Universal Design best practice and futureproofing compliance with the incoming European Accessibility Act. OHAC also provided an overview Summary Report including high level management and operations recommendations (e.g. staff training, facilities management, information provision). Additionally, given the historical significance of the building, OHAC provided a breakdown of potential reasonable accommodations and management solutions OHAC also facilitated follow up workshops to discuss all findings and recommendations.
Accessibility and Universal Design Consultants
OHAC developed an Accessibility and Inclusivity Strategy for access to banking services, staff and visitor areas, which builds on the findings and reasonable accommodations identified in the access audits.
OHAC was also engaged to develop a set of accessibility and Universal Design Guidelines for BOI to be used as an in-house toolkit to ensure accessibility in the built environment is maintained in future upgrade works by in-house design teams.
Technical Advisor
As part of the Tender Stage, OHAC liaised directly with the design team to ensure proposed works were compliant with accessibility requirements, preparing a number of accessibility reviews on proposed works and providing recommendations as appropriate. OHAC detail design review process included providing the preparation of detailed reports with commentary on compliance items and providing advice on all elements relating to accessibility and Universal Design. There were follow up accessibility workshops and meetings with key personnel to ensure clarification on all items raised and effective and innovative solutions agreed.
OHAC provided the design team with specification documents for inclusion in the Tender Specification to ensure all contractors were aware of specifications and scope of information required on sign off to demonstrate necessary compliances (for example: ancillary certificates for installations and testing and commissioning of necessary elements, lux levels, loading requirements, opening forces, etc).
OHAC continues to provide advice, support and information on all items relating to accessibility, inclusivity and Universal Design as required throughout all stages of this project.
