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Design appraisal and audit helps RCOT turn office into profitable asset
RCOT has resided in its 1960s , five-storey London office in Borough since 1998 . Historically , around 90 staff , in a handful of departments , were spread across four floors of the building , while the ground floor was home to several meeting rooms used for specialist sections , region ’ s board meetings and events led by RCOT – such as networking days or training events – and the RCOT library .
But in late 2020 , with the arrival of the pandemic , the organisation moved to a more hybrid way of working and it soon became apparent that with just a handful of staff using the office on an ad hoc basis , the situation was not economical .
In January 2022 , Steve Ford , RCOT Chief Executive kicked off discussions with Council on the future of the building and in September that year , it was agreed to review the layout and design .
It was believed that , by changing the way we use the building – coming together on one floor , in a hot-desk , open-plan environment – colleagues could work more collaboratively , accessibility could be improved , and the building would become a profitable asset .
So , in September 2022 , RCOT commissioned the Centre for Accessible Environments ( CAE ) to complete a design appraisal of the proposed refurbishment plans ( to best practice guidance BS8300 and ADM Volume 2 ), attend design team meetings to provide advice and review the fit-out on completion of the refurbishment .
While the original ground floor had level access , ramps , powered doors , an accessible shower room and lift access , Lauren Walker , RCOT Professional Adviser , explains how this wasn ’ t enough : ‘ A refurbishment in 2011 had achieved a lot in the way to accessibility , but the building wasn ’ t originally constructed with accessibility in mind . Improvements were needed .’
For instance , a wheelchair user could approach the office coffee / tea station , but couldn ’ t get close enough to operate the machines . And while the shower room was accessible , its aesthetics were not gold standard .
‘ There ’ s a misconception that accessible spaces mean a clinical look ,’ she adds . ‘ A gold standard design is about pleasing aesthetics and being inclusive without appearing clinical . So , our designers worked-in the shapes , colours and fixtures of the 1960s .’
Project team member and Support Officer Issy Savin de Larclause adds : ‘ If we hadn ’ t had CAE ’ s input in the early stages , we could have built
Above : The redesigned ground floor of Phoenix House
internal walls that may have had to be taken down again . Their review helped us focus on building within the boundaries we had .’
CAE ’ s Access Consultant examined the light reflectance value of the space to ensure enough of a colour contrast in doors , furniture , walls and flooring , so that people with sensory needs , a visual impairment , or someone who identifies as neurodivergent , would not find navigating the building a challenge .
Joe Nickel , Lead Consultant and Director at Coney Consultancy Services Ltd , who was part of the project team says : ‘ One of the best things on the project has been the accessible design . Supported by CAE , we ’ ve delivered generous circulation space and tactile signage .’
The review helped ensure that each floor ’ s circulation space would be optimised for people using wheelchairs , mobility aids or push chairs , ensuring walls and furniture were in the right place . CAE also advised on the positioning of signage and toilet fixtures .
With staff and visitors already enjoying the physical benefits of the refurbished building , RCOT will also soon reap another important return on its investment . Thanks to four floors now becoming rentable spaces , the cost of the building refurbishment should be recouped by 2026 / 27 .
‘ Feedback is that that the modifications we ’ ve made work well for everyone ,’ says Lauren .
June 2023 OTnews 7