Intro
Miranda Litchfield the Chief Executive at Museum of Bath Stone got in touch with concerns about the main entrance not accommodating to customers with all access needs. Considering they are a fully accessible museum and community space, they needed their entrance to match with an accessible door.
Problem
The doors needed to be automatic to accommodate to all customers. The main entrance at the museum is one of the first things any visitor will come across, so it had to be easy to use for all people with limited mobility. To accommodate everyone, the doors needed to be opened without the use of hands, allowing for convenience even while pushing a baby in a pushchair or holding baggage in both hands.
They also wanted the design of the doors to match the aesthetic of the rest of the building.
Solution
We discussed a few options with Miranda from a new set of automatic swing door leaves.
We removed existing swing doors and liner frame and supplied and installed a new Bi-Parting set of sliding doors, complete with liner frame, automatic door operator and pocket screens. This design helped to give the customer maximum room both inside and outside – opening up the entrance and letting in so much more light. This has now given the museum a modern look that is much more inviting. The accessible door now matches the rest of the building.
The switch to automatic doors will also help them in terms of hygiene control, which is still a concern for many since the pandemic. The air-tight function will also prevent the entry of dust and dirt into the building by increasing the air pressure of the room.
Before and After
Feedback
Following our success with the Recovery Grant, we wasted no time in welcoming James and Robert from J Manny Ltd, a Wales based firm specialising in the installation of automatic doors.
As our local residents will know – this is not the first time that Welsh engineers have blessed Combe Down with their presence…
Between 1999 – 2009, hundreds of former miners from the South Wales coalfield brought their wealth of expertise in underground environments across the bridge, and underneath the city of Bath.
Renowned for their friendly nature, this team were no exception and have made a sterling job of replacing the existing entranceway with brand new, automatic, bi-parting sliding doors.
Our huge thanks to J Manny Ltd for creating independent disabled access into the building, and our greatest thanks again to the SWMD and Art Fund for making this possible.’’ – Miranda Litchfield – Chief Executive