Stannah Lifts helps to transform accessibility at Cambridge conference centre
Access solutions provider Stannah helped to improve accessibility at a conference centre on the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridge with an inclined platform lift.
Hinxton Hall Conference Centre is located within the grounds of the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridge but accessibility for disabled visitors was restricted in its auditorium.
The Francis Crick Auditorium, which accommodates up to 290 people, had a step-free entrance. However, the main seating area at the front of the auditorium features a stepped aisle, meaning the stage was inaccessible for those with limited mobility.
Prior to the Stannah solution being installed, speakers were not able to access the stage and were located in spaces to the rear of the auditorium. This location made it more challenging for them to contribute to conference events.
A vertical lift shaft in the auditorium could not be installed due to space restrictions, meaning Stannah had to devise a solution that utilised existing space on the stepped aisle. The Stannah CR inclined platform lift is specifically designed for use over stairs.
Wates Facilities Management worked in collaboration with Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, the client on this project, and the Stannah team, working together to enhance accessibility without necessitating any disruptive structural alterations to the auditorium.
The installation of the inclined platform lift meant that no structural changes were required, which may have resulted in widening of the stepped aisle leading to a loss of seating in the auditorium.
The Stairiser CR’s slimline design meant that the rail had minimal outward projection from the wall and the platform folds away when not in use. It did not require additional space on the upper or lower landings, which retained unfettered access at these busy transit points.
Being designed for use on a curved rail meant the Stairiser CR could follow the slight elliptical curve of the upper level stairwell retaining wall and again minimise outward projection into the aisle.
This compact design of Stannah Stairiser CR inclined platform lift at the Francis Crick Auditorium now provides discreet and efficient access to the main stage of the auditorium.
For users, the Stannah accessible platform provides easy functionality including remote call stations. This feature allows users to conveniently summon the platform lift from various points in the auditorium, providing constant accessibility.
Supporting a maximum load of 250kg, the Francis Crick Auditorium now provides speakers with a safe and easy-to-use access to the stage.
Katrina Robinson, Head of Programme Operations at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre: “The Stannah Stairiser CR inclined platform lift is an important addition to the auditorium and now provides speakers with limited mobility access to the main stage area.
“This creates a much more inclusive environment and we appreciated the fact that Stannah identified a solution that avoided structural changes to the lecture space.”
Stephan Muraour, Project Manager at Wates Facilities Management said: “Throughout our collaboration with Stannah we were impressed with their professionalism and ability to identify a workable solution. Overall, the lift was easy to install without any structural work, whilst the design looks perfectly in-keeping with other elements of the auditorium.”
For buildings that are unable to accommodate a vertical lift, a Stannah Stairiser CR curved or Stannah SR straight rail platform lift offers a solution to enhance independence and safe access, whilst blending into existing designs and layouts.
Stannah has evolved from a small family business founded in 1867, into a global leader in mobility solutions, aiding over 900,000 individuals in the past four decades. The firm recently announced the launch of Uplifts by Stannah, a new dedicated homelift brand.
