Access Consultancy services for accessible student accommodation
Iglu is a developer of purpose-built student accommodation. Iglu are known for their expertise in developing and managing properties for students that are central to university campuses, colleges, public transport and other support services in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Architecture & Access were engaged Iglu to provide access consulting services for the 17-level student accommodation building located at 407 King Street, West Melbourne, directly across from Flagstaff Gardens, a landmark park in Melbourne.
The development includes 252 sole occupancy units, gymnasium, bike storage, games and study areas, laundry, kitchen, dining room and media room. In line with the National Construction Code (NCC)/Building Code of Australia (BCA) there are 19 accessible sole occupancy units. Image credit: Kane Jarrod Photography
Our Access Strategy for accessible student accommodation has been developed to closely meet the needs of students with different types of disabilities and limitations. Under this strategy, accessible sole occupancy units are divided into three types of units:
- For people with mobility impairments
- For people with hearing and speech impairments
- For people with vision impairments
The design and fitout for the accessible rooms needed to meet the requirements for each specific type of disability as well as meet the needs of people who may have other types of restrictions.
Type A – Mobility Impairment Accessible room design was fully compliant in accordance AS 1428.1 (Design for access and mobility general requires for access-New building work). Specific requirements were provided to Iglu to include in these units.
Type B – Speech and/or Hearing Impairment room design includes several requirements such as television with caption decoder, visual fire alarms, door hardware and door luminance contrast as required by AS1428.1.
Type C – Vision impairment room design includes 12 requirements. Examples of these include:
- Paths to be free from projecting wall mounted obstacles
- Tap hardware in kitchens and bathrooms which clearly define hot and cold allocations
- Light switch plates or light switches to be of 30% luminance contrast to the background on which they are mounted
The access strategy required additional features within the common areas of the accommodation including additional braille and tactile signage and visual alarms. A management plan was required to support the strategy including advertising of the different room types and facilities.
