A systematic evaluation of barrier free adaptations in historic buildings - the case of the main building at the TU Wien

Abstract

Individual access to the built environment is fundamental to the guarantee of equal opportunity for all. In this regard, barrier free provisions in buildings of historical significance play a major role. Specific adaptations may be necessary to ensure the usability of the structure for all variables in user needs, as well as sustainability for future generations. Such interventions are constrained by the building¿s existing structural conditions, spatial organization and preservation requirements. The present research aims to demonstrate how to provide for accessibility needs in an historic building, while balancing preservation and intervention requirements. The investigation follows a systematic assessment of building samples from the main premises of the TU Wien (TUW), a structure with over 200 years of history. The author has developed a qualitative model to measure compliance with Austrian barrier free standards and regulations of different architectonic elements granting vertical and horizontal access. Based on the assessment results, the author proposes several alternatives to the integration of accessibility provisions into the case study. The appraisal has unveiled good practices and challenges in achieving barrier free adaptations, demonstrating that solutions do not necessarily mean invasive interventions, but are rather a combination of strategic plans, managerial decisions and spatial alterations. A holistic analysis of possible solutions should follow a multidisciplinary plan involving endusers, designers, building managers and budget allocators.