The school's new food and technology block, which is equipped to cater for around 20 pupils, was originally designed on a concrete frame principle, but this was considered ugly due to the extent of the exposed services and failed to meet the school's aesthetic requirements. Telford Hart Associates, a well established project management and quantity surveying company, was asked to step in.
"Naturally, the governors and head teachers wanted their school to look the part, so we completely revised the original design," said Tom Robinson, Project Management Director at Telford Hart Associates. However, we tried to maintain as close as possible the external appearance which the planners had accepted.
"We came up with a steel framed building and concealed all the services behind suspended ceilings and dry lining. Not only was this attractive but also delivered cost savings as well. However, because Prestige is a handsome lift that blends seamlessly with its environment, it was one of the few visible features of the building that we did not change. It looks great and sailed through its health and safety checks carried out by our CDM coordinator."
Prestige is versatile because it comes in a range of colours, finishes and materials. This means customers can tailor it to match their specific requirements.
The platform lift is ideal for use in schools because it features user-friendly controls positioned at a convenient height for wheelchair users and is available with a designated user control (DUC) system. DUC-fitted units need a key to operate, preventing unauthorised or inappropriate use of the lift.
Lancaster Royal Grammar School's Prestige is running smoothly and is an essential means of access for students who have trouble climbing stairs. It also keeps the school's new food and technology block in line with the Equality Act.
