The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is the winner of the first ADAPT Trust Award, which recognises the quality of provision it has made for people with disabilities. The Award is a new prize which honours excellence in access provision to arts and heritage buildings. Architects Avery Associates, who have worked with RADA for 16 years, were praised by judges for having achieved a combination of excellent design and functionality in a new development which includes workshops, rehearsal rooms, a foyer/bar and three new performing spaces.
Particular praise was given to the achievements of the architects on a restricted site that could have made access considerations difficult: the building manages to provide access to backstage facilities and technical galleries as well as public areas. The judges said ?This project has shown that architects can design beyond Part M of the Building Regulations and can cater for all disabilities, including sensory impairments that are often given minimal attention.?
Published: 17-12-2001