Sesame System Examples
Below are just a few examples of where a Sesames system has solved a vexing problem of providing disabled access. Please click on the images for a larger version.
Institute of Civil Engineers, Westminster
The Institute is housed in a listed building in Central London and in order to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act needed to find a solution for wheelchair users to gain entrance over the stairs leading from the street to their reception area and then over a further short rise set of stairs within the building. Given the technical expertise of the many visitors to the Institute, the unique engineering concept of the Sesame System was very appealing as it offered to them a practical solution that was also very much in keeping with the professionalism of the Institute's membership. As seen in the photograph the Sesame fitted to the external entrance is clad in Limestone and once this is weathered it will fully blend into its surroundings as there are only 6mm gaps bounding the moving parts and static area. A further feature of this installation is that the control button box rises from below the stair lift when the stairs retract.
The internal Sesame System is clad in marble to match the surrounds and the option of a swinging gate has been chosen rather than the rising barrier. Again like the external lift it has been fitted with a rising control button box when the lift is called but whilst the Sesame is in stair mode for pedestrian use the box is fitted into the wall to make the System anonymous and blended totally with the surrounding area.
The following is a quote from the Institute of Civil Engineers own web site:
(BBC) Beaumont House, Westminster
This attractive listed building is situated in a terrace of similar properties located in a prestigious area of West London. It is part of the BBC's portfolio of accommodation, housing both visitors to the Corporation and staff. Like the other properties in the area the front door is above street level and entrance is gained up short rise steps bridging the boundary moat between the property.s frontage and the pavement.
With the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act now on the statute book it was necessary to solve the need to provide access to the property for wheelchair users. With only limited space available and the restrictions imposed on changes to the fabric of listed buildings, the problem appeared to be insurmountable. Clearly the option of a removable ramp would be both out of keeping with the general environment and detract from the desire to maintain conformity. It would also take away from the disabled their wish to be as independent as possible.
A Sesame System provided the answer to this conundrum, which as shown in the pictures, when not in use is invisible thus making the entrance to Beaumont House identical to the neighbouring properties. Furthermore when in use, the Sesame System is linked to the entrance doors, so these open automatically giving the wheelchair user greater independence and a shorter time in returning the stairs to pedestrian use. The installation is much appreciated by the residents of all the properties in the area and unlike other disabled access facilities; the Sesame System does not detract from the quality of the architecture.
The problem of disabled access faced at Beaumont House is replicated throughout the U.K. Early architectural design was often based on the concept of a moat surrounding properties incorporating a basement housing kitchens and servants quarters with steps bridging up from street level to the remainder of the residence. Many of these properties have been converted into commercial use and the Sesame System offers the answer in providing wheelchair access without compromising the aesthetic design of the building.
Gracechurch Street
This refurbishment in the heart of London required a stylish wheelchair platform stairlift to blend into its surroundings. This Sesame System does not have the standard retracting stairs as a grand staircase is located in the centre of the reception area. You will notice a fixed hand hold button station permanently on view. The architects opted for a permanent hand held button post rather than a hidden rising button post so the users would be able to find the wheelchair lift. The user would call the platform lift by swiping their issued swipe cards, once on the platform they would then press and hold the up or down button on the hand held post to reach the desired level.
Please click on this link to view a short Movie of the Gracechurch Street installation.
Chulmleigh Community College, Devon
When this College was chosen as the site for the development of a typical “classroom of the future” the planners needed to identify a solution for disabled access over short /medium rise steps and asked the Sesame designer Charles Lyons if he could find the answer. The result was a Sesame which was able to reach a height of 1.75m.
Although it presented a new challenge this was met by some strategic redesign and the Sesame is an integral part of what is envisaged for education facilities in the future. When the children first saw the Sesame in action they were amazed that their stairs moved, they had not realised they had been running up and down a wheelchair lift!
Grade B Listed Building Oddfellows Hall in Forrest Road, Edinburgh
From when it was first built in 1873, Oddfellows Hall on Forrest Road was the central gathering point for the local members of the Oddfellows Order. Back then, the building was divided into two galleried halls, retiring rooms for lecturers and committee meetings, function rooms and dormitories. The Sesame System provided Wheelchair Access to the dining area in this historic building when it was renovated in 2006. The historical importance of the building became a driving factor which was why Sesame Access Systems were called upon as the only solution for Disabled Access. Here you will notice a stainless steel finish to the roller shutter blind option to conceal the working parts of the platform lift.
Llanelli Town Hall
A beautiful listed building housing the civic and administrative offices of this medium size Welsh town. Access to the building from street level is by way of five steps and presented an obvious bar to any wheelchair user. The civic Architect turned to Sesame for the solution and following the installation the architectural merit of the Town Hall has been preserved but wheel chair users have independent access through the front door along side those who are fully mobile.
Merchant Taylors’ Hall
This Livery Hall in the heart of the City of London has a magnificent dining room that can seat 400 people. Major functions are regularly held but both inner entrances to the building have short rise stairs. When renovations took place, it was necessary to find the solution to the disabled access problem and following the installation of a Sesame system, wheelchair users can now safely and independently gain access. Please note that this Sesame System has a barrier that rises from the ground at the upper level, rather than the gate system used for the other two examples. Below a 500mm rise a gate or barrier is not needed (British Standard) however the barrier here is hidden when the wheelchair lift is not in use.
All the sites where Sesame Systems are installed have presented a variety of differing challenges whether in design, manufacture or location. Thanks to the skill and efforts of our dedicated team and with a considerable amount of lateral thinking these challenges have been met and overcome. We are proud of our product and the greater equality it has given to the wheelchair user. At Sesame we welcome each new challenge.
