Installation at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel
Enhancing access to listed and historic buildings has always been a problem, taking into account the special character that makes such building’s unique. Enabling access for disabled people and conserving the special character of a building may require a fine balancing act which requires careful thought and application.
Such was the conundrum facing the owners of the renowned and listed Duke of Edinburgh Hotel in Barrow.
The hotel which was being transformed into four star luxury accommodation, is a wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture. At its heart lies a beautiful staircase rising through several floors beneath a coved lantern ceiling. The staircase is at the heart of the hotel and is enhanced with decorative panelling, carved newel posts and quatrefoil detailing. Walking up the staircase gives an aspirational feel to the experience of staying at the hotel, especially as the staircase details are articulated with turned balusters, linked by pierced panels under a moulded hand rail.The proposed transformation of the hotel required access for those unable to use the magnificent stairway. Fortunately, the hotel enlisted ecalifts to help resolve the conundrum. Ecalifts have a wealth of experience when dealing with access in historic buildings. We understand the need to respect the special nature of our heritage and also have a considered and sympathetic process of evaluating the impact and nature of our installations. Assessing the significance of a building (and mitigating the impact of our activities and solutions upon such significance) makes the whole design and installation process much smoother and cost effective. Such knowledge and experience helps liaison with Planners, Conservation Officers and applications for Listed Building Consent more productive and successful. After careful appraisal of the situation at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, ecalifts provided a radical solution for their access requirements. Further to the appraisal, ecalifts established
The hotel which was being transformed into four star luxury accommodation, is a wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture. At its heart lies a beautiful staircase rising through several floors beneath a coved lantern ceiling. The staircase is at the heart of the hotel and is enhanced with decorative panelling, carved newel posts and quatrefoil detailing. Walking up the staircase gives an aspirational feel to the experience of staying at the hotel, especially as the staircase details are articulated with turned balusters, linked by pierced panels under a moulded hand rail.The proposed transformation of the hotel required access for those unable to use the magnificent stairway. Fortunately, the hotel enlisted ecalifts to help resolve the conundrum. Ecalifts have a wealth of experience when dealing with access in historic buildings. We understand the need to respect the special nature of our heritage and also have a considered and sympathetic process of evaluating the impact and nature of our installations. Assessing the significance of a building (and mitigating the impact of our activities and solutions upon such significance) makes the whole design and installation process much smoother and cost effective. Such knowledge and experience helps liaison with Planners, Conservation Officers and applications for Listed Building Consent more productive and successful. After careful appraisal of the situation at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, ecalifts provided a radical solution for their access requirements. Further to the appraisal, ecalifts established
- that there was an ‘honesty’ and ‘appropriateness’ in using the open stairwell space as this was it’s original and intended function.
- there was a need to avoid a ‘pastiche’ interpretation of a lift because it would ‘compete’ with the beautiful staircase (as well as health and safety considerations)
- using a transparent vertical lift in the existing open stairwell would allow those not able to use the stairs, to experience the special and historic nature of the staircase.
- using a simple, functional and transparent lift would be in harmony with the ‘Gothic’ principles of the original building.
