Concerns about embedded carbon have led architects to favour refurbishing old buildings instead of demolishing them and starting again. However, any revamp must allow for elements of modernisation, such as allowing wheelchair lift installation.
This concept is based on the notion that the carbon footprint of a building includes that emitted by the construction process, something that can be saved by refurbishing and upgrading a building instead of completely replacing it.
The latest example of a major building being redeveloped in this way is 1 Embankment Place, a 1980s office block built over Charing Cross Station in central London. Under newly submitted plans by developer Bridgemont, 90 per cent of the old building will be retained.
Environmental concerns do not stop at the issue of embedded carbon, with the plans involving replacing gas heating with air source heat pumps.
However, while such considerations may tick all the green boxes and make some contribution towards lowering emissions, it is important to remember that many old buildings need to be updated to become more accessible.
What Does The Law Say About Access To Office Buildings?
Wheelchair lift installation is a prime example of the kind of step that companies need to take to make workplaces legally compliant under the 2010 Equality Act. This states that:
- Physical barriers to entry for those with mobility requirements must be removed where possible
- When this is not possible, alternative methods of access should be provided
- Safe and independent entry and exit from buildings must be possible
In some buildings, a ramp may perform the same function in providing the necessary access. However, in some cramped spaces, including inside the building, there may be insufficient room for a ramp to be a practical solution.
A completely new building may be designed to incorporate a ramp, but when a building is much older and was never designed with such mobility needs in mind, a lift may meet the requirement to provide an alternative means of access.
Revamping a building instead of rebuilding it may be done for the best of reasons, but it is vital to take whatever steps are required to meet accessibility laws.