The Accessible Canada Act’s commitments, including the development of national standards for accessibility are intended to “realize a barrier-free Canada by 2040”. Similarly, concomitant municipal and provincial standards and regulations offer comparable ambitions. While professionals involved in creating and improving the built environment have been engaging with accessibility for some time, in Heritage Conservation the removal of barriers is too often placed in conflict, if not direct opposition. This presentation will reposition the perceived opposition as opportunity, and explore the potential for confident design, informed by a values-based approach to Heritage Conservation and Barrier Free Access to find common ground. Through an analytical lens on a range of exemplar projects, we explore the approaches, methodologies and principles deployed to integrate inclusive access routes and navigation in ways that add to the character and viability of heritage sites. Key to inclusion is a prioritization of passive access interventions that enhance accessibility without compromising the architectural integrity of historic buildings. Examples include the removal of a single step at an entry to a comprehensive strategy rethinking movement across a complicated 19th Century University Building. These solutions not only demonstrate sensitivity to the historical and aesthetic value of the structures but also underscore the potential for passive design elements to fulfill functional requirements. Moreover, the presentation highlights the interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, conservation specialists, and accessibility consultants, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach in achieving successful outcomes. In conclusion, the projects showcased will demonstrate how design can be employed effectively to bridge the gap between historical preservation and the need for inclusive access, demonstrating that historic buildings can be adapted to meet the needs of the greatest range of users while conserving their cultural heritage.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the Interrelationships of Standards and Regulations informing Heritage Conservation and Barrier-free access to the built environment.
Promote a values-based approach to projects involving Conservation and Barrier-free access.
Identify innovative approaches to meeting code and other accessibility requirements within historic buildings.
Align design strategies with conservation parameters and accessibility principles.