Clarice Pears FAQs
Clarice Pears Facilities Level 1 entrance
Facilities on the Level 1 (ground floor) of CP building:
Lecture rooms
Computing Lab
Meeting rooms
Hotdesking
Exhibition area
Self-service Café healthy and variety of food.
1x Baby Change/feeding room on Level 1 and is wheelchair accessible.
1x Multifaith Room. Male and female ablution rooms.
1x First Aid Room
1x ‘Changing Places’ Room Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. Over ¼ million people in the UK with a disability need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needs are met by Changing Places toilets.
Showers, 5 in total (include two accessible and gender neutral, one of which in Changing Places Toilet)
Toilets for cafeteria, and two other toilet blocks consisting of Female, Male, Gender neutral and Accessible toilets.
How do you pronounce the name Clarice Pears?
Clariss (not Clareece) Pairs (not peers)
Is Level 1 (the ground floor) disabled accessible?
Yes, Level 1 (the ground floor) is fully accessible and has the following features:
- A wheelchair-accessible baby change/feeding room on Level 1
- A changing places room (standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. Over 1/4 million people in the UK with a disability need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.)
- Hearing loops at each reception desk, and in meeting and seminar rooms.
Where can I charge an electric wheelchair/mobility scooter?
Inside the Clarice Pears building, on Level 1, there is a socket in the wall in the location marked A for charging. There are many sockets throughout the ground floor for public use but this is the designated space.
Externally there is parking next to the bike racks under the canopy on University Place, although this is not a charging point.
Is there disabled parking?
The car parking team has confirmed that there will be a booking process for UofG accessible spaces. This would allow SHW to book space(s) for "known" mobility impaired visitors.
There are also a number of public accessible spaces and public parking spaces on University Place and Church Street that can be used on an ad hoc basis. For any enquiries about car parking please email carparking@glasgow.ac.uk.
There is further information on the following webpages:
What/who is on which floor?
- Level 1
Ground floor: teaching, meeting rooms/areas, exhibition space, hotdesking, café. - Level 2
Mental Health and Wellbeing, Social Scientists in Health - Level 3
General Practice and Primary Care, Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, Public Health - Level 4
MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (SPHSU) - Level 5
Robertson Centre for Biostatistics; SPHSU Population Health Research Facility (PHRF); SHW meeting rooms
There are offices of varying sizes and some open areas on Levels 2 and 3.
SPHSU on Level 4 and part of Level 5 are open plan.
There are two elevators and three sets of stairs.
What are the opening hours of the building?
- The Clarice Pears building is open to staff and students, using swipe Salto security access (staff/student card), from 6am to 8pm.
- The building is closed with the alarm set from 8pm to 6am.
- There is a protocol in place for accessing the building on an emergency basis.
- Level 1 is open to the public from 8am to 5pm.
- The café has catering staff available from 8am to 4pm, and vending machines accessible at all times.
Why can't I work in Clarice Pears 24/7?
Clarice Pears opening hours and rationale
Access to Clarice Pears is between 6am to 8pm and the building will be alarmed outside of these hours. The decision to close the building during these hours was based on two separate factors:
- Energy consumption/carbon footprint
The university has set a "net zero" target for carbon emissions by 2035 and as part of this out-of-hours access should be minimised to reduce building carbon emissions. Facilitating out-of-hours access for a small number of colleagues is not energy efficient. - Working culture
We want colleagues to enjoy a good work/life balance and by closing the building between 8pm and 6am we hope to discourage excessive working hours. For any colleagues who are required to work outside these hours, they may be able to continue to do so from home or use one of the campus buildings that have longer opening hours.
If you are looking for a space on campus after these hours you can view study space opening times on the university’s web pages. You might also find this YouTube video helpful.
Where is the reception on the ground floor? How will things work with the 2 entrances? Is the main Byres Road entrance accessible to the public?
The reception or "welcome area", as it's known, is closest to the Byres Road entrance. There is relevant signage to guide people to the welcome area from both entrances, both of which are open to all staff and students, and the public.
Is there air conditioning and, if so, can it be controlled by area? Do the windows open?
There is very little air conditioning and this is only in areas which aren’t easily ventilated by windows e.g. in areas close to Byres Road, which might be affected by external noise.
Air conditioning is controlled by the Building Management System.
Is there heating?
Yes, there are radiators which work from the university district heating system.
The radiators give off a constant low-level heat which is controlled by the Building Management System.
What about ambient noise and movement?
Acoustic quality of spaces
Although not mandatory, the Clarice Pears building has been designed to comply with the requirements of Building Bulletin 93 – acoustic design of schools: performance standards (BB93), published in February 2015 by the Department for Education.
This document provides exacting acoustic criteria for internal ambient noise levels, internal sound insulation and reverberation times.
Hearing loops are included at each reception desk, and in meeting and seminar rooms.
What is the size of each working space? Are there sit/stand desks?
Each space has been designed as per the university design space standards which are:
- 9m2 for academic staff with desk sizes 1600 x 800mm
- 6m2 for professional services staff with desk sizes 1400 or 1200 x 800mm
- 4m2 for PGR students with desk sizes 1200 x 800mm
Around 20% of desks will be sit/stand and staff will be asked to share this facility.
I need a quiet space to work – will I get that?
There are a number of booths and small rooms where you can do quiet work on an ad hoc basis. These are not for full time working. A number of single offices will be made available when not in use.
The SPHSU space on Levels 4 and 5 is set up to support quiet open-plan working. On these floors, there is good provision of bookable meeting rooms and unbookable drop-in rooms (more than were available in Renfield Street or Berkeley Square) which, along with the social areas on Levels 4 and 1, are the spaces where meetings and Zoom/Teams calls take place.
Can I choose where I sit, or will I have to hot-desk?
Where colleagues sit is discussed and agreed between heads of research groups and individual staff members and PGRs. All groups have been designated a floor/area on a floor.
For many staff – no, you don't have to hot-desk. The university count staff in full time equivalent (FTE) when they calculate capacity e.g if we have 10 staff who are each 0.5fte (half time) we get 5 seats/desks.
This doesn’t mean that all part time staff have to share a desk, but it makes sense that we don’t want desks lying empty for half of the week. With hybrid working, we may find there will be more desk availability for staff and students to move around more easily, if they choose.
Research groups are asked to discuss with their staff and agree how things will work in their areas.
How will we make sure that everyone keeps the kitchen areas clean and tidy?
There are numerous tea prep areas throughout the building.
All staff and students are asked to comply with the SHW office etiquette which is available on our website.
Signage and guidelines are be placed in full view for everyone to note, and reminders will be sent if necessary.
Will there be water coolers?
There is a tap which dispenses boiled and lukewarm water. It is a university-wide decision to disable the chiller function on taps to save energy. Please put your bottled water in the fridge if you require chilled water.
What facilities are there for storing bicycles?
As part of the new buildings and infrastructure there are approximately 1800 cycle spaces on campus.
Below are pictures of racks/stands (Apollo Two Tier shelter and Sheffield cycle stand)
Below "A1" is Clarice Pears (University Place is on the right-hand side, and Byres Rd at the top edge of the plan). The key shows where the proposed racks/shelters are.
Is there a drying area in CP for commuters with wet clothes?
There are 3 drying cupboards.
What are the squiggles on the outside of the building?
Local artists have contributed to the design on the Clarice Pears building.
Designer Shona Watson said:
"It was important for us to understand the ethos of the building design, the research of the School of Health & Wellbeing and the surrounding environment. From this, the core idea that stood out was "Everything is connected". Based on this idea, we took an outline of the map of Glasgow and simplified it to create a design that visualises Glasgow as a space, not just a city, a space that can be owned by everyone. The School of Health and Wellbeing, in the Clarice Pears building, is at the heart of that space and the change they are making radiates out within Glasgow and beyond. It is fantastic that the university is taking this opportunity to champion local artists through its Campus Development Programme, and we hope this design sparks inspiration and conversation for years into the future.”
A1
Are there telephone handsets?
No, but headsets are provided.
For contacting staff in UofG you should use MS Teams as usual. For external calls we use a system called Jabber which you can install. We can provide instructions.
What is a docking station?
USB-docking station with the most frequently used ports to solve the problem of insufficient space and expand your devices connectivity, with video ports USB C multiport adapter can easily expand your laptop with HDMI ports, DP port, Type C PD charging port provides 100W, USB ports, SD&TF Card Reader slot.
What IT equipment will I have in Clarice Pears?
On every desk (for the majority of groups) there is a docking station (described above "What is a docking station?") and a monitor.
The monitor will already be connected to the docking station. All you have to do is sit down, plug your laptop into the docking station and you will immediately be connected to everything you need.
Docking stations should never be moved between floors.
Who decides if I get a PC or laptop?
Most staff will use a laptop. This allows freedom of movement and to work where required in the Clarice Pears building.
This is the default for future IT purchasing and provision, although any individual for whom this is sub-optimal can request the necessary bespoke set-up.
If you believe your requirements will not be met by a laptop then please make sure your local administrator is aware, so that your needs can be assessed and the right solution found.
It’s expected that students bring their own device (BYOD), but this may be dependent on functional requirements.
How many monitors can I have?
The majority of staff have one monitor and their laptop is used as a second monitor. Laptop stands can be provided on request to raise the laptop to the same level as the monitor.
What if I forget my laptop?
We have a limited number of laptops which will be stored in secure lockable charging units, and which can be borrowed on occasion.
What about videoconferencing and hybrid videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing enabled spaces are equipped with a USB camera and microphone connectivity to the resident PC or an individual's own device, allowing users to conduct video calls using various videoconferencing software (e.g. Zoom, Teams, etc).
Hybrid videoconferencing enabled spaces are equipped with two cameras, one facing the lecturer’s position and another facing the audience. Both cameras can be shared with the remote participants simultaneously. All microphones are also shared with the remote participants. This allows for audience participation and discussion.
What about Echo360 (lecture capture/recording)?
Echo360 lecture recording allows scheduled recordings of lecturer camera, audio and presentation source.
Recordings are automatically uploaded to the cloud where they can be edited, transcribed and published to Moodle courses or downloaded for manual distribution.
The following rooms have both Echo360 and hybrid videoconferencing:
- 101
- 102
- 103A and 103B
- 163
Where can I store my confidential hard copy data?
There are lockable tambour units for confidential data. However there is limited secure storage on each floor.
Where will I be able to store all my personal and work things?
As some staff will be hybrid working – i.e. working some of the time at home and some at the office – colleagues may have fewer personal items to store than previously.
You will have a locker for personal items and lockable tambour units for confidential research work (which should not be taken home).
Can I put things on the walls?
We cannot put anything on the walls due to the contractor being responsible for defects for 2 years.
What are the capacities of teaching/meeting rooms?
Level 1, Ground Floor. | Capacity | Notes |
---|---|---|
101 IT Lab | 30 | |
102 seminar and teaching room | 40 | |
103A/103B seminar and teaching rooms | 48/60 |
Two rooms can be joined to form one large room for approx. 120 (depending on seating configuration) |
5 meeting rooms | 10/20 | |
5 Other meeting rooms | 8/30 |
Other floors have meeting rooms with varying capacities.
How will booking of teaching will be prioritised?
We have agreement with Central Room Bookings to ensure SHW has priority booking for all spaces in CP, including teaching.
There are 4 designated teaching rooms on Level 1. Priority order is:
- SHW teaching
- SHW conferences requiring the use of teaching rooms
- Rest of UoG
However, large (non-teaching) SHW meetings (eg academic away day, Maurice Bloch Seminar Series) should be planned and in the diary by May each year, for the year ahead, in order for SHW to secure those spaces, prior to teaching. (Please book via shwadmin@glasgow.ac.uk)
There are numerous other meeting rooms throughout the building, bookable for the use of SHW staff only and under the control of SHW admin.
Is water being piped into meeting rooms?
No. Water will be available from the kitchen/tea prep areas on each floor.
Are single offices lockable with a key?
No. All offices have Salto access, i.e. using your staff or student card for swipe access.
Staff will be given access rights on Salto to access specific offices. SHW admin will have the authority to control this.
What about equality and diversity in relation to the building design?
Equality and diversity
The University of Glasgow has an Equality and Diversity Policy which designers should refer to during the design stage. It states that the University ‘‘is committed to promoting and implementing equality of opportunity in the learning, teaching, research and working environments.’’ During consultation it was clear that the University seeks design solutions that reflect a progressive approach.
10.1 General Policy and Standards
• Equality Act 2010
• Equality and Diversity Policy University of Glasgow http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/equalitydiversity/policy/equalitypolicy/
• Equality Impact Assessment Policy and Guidance University of Glasgow
• Accessible Events Policy University of Glasgow
• BS 8300
• AMOSSEE (Management of Student Services in Higher Education) – AMOSSHE - Home
• The Changing Places Campaign http://changing-places.org/
• Managing inclusive building design for Higher Education: Equality briefing and process checklist Managing inclusive building design for higher education | Advance HE (advance-he.ac.uk)
• Inclusion by Design - Cabe
• Transport Plan - University of Glasgow
• Events Management Plan University of Glasgow
• Faith and Reflection Facilities Policy Appendix H3 of the Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Disabled Go - www.disabledgo.com
• The Building (Scotland) Regulations Non-Domestic Technical Handbook
• Relevant documentation contained in Appendix B of the Scottish Building Regulations.
10.2 Building Approach, Access & Egress
Provide contrasting drop kerbs where required to ensure smooth transition to the building entrances thus avoiding possible obstacles for those who experience difficulties negotiating kerbs. Warnings of changes in gradient should be implemented and standardised campus wide. Routes into a building should be formed of a continuous, smooth, hard, non-slip surfaced pathway. Tactile surfaces should be used to give directional information and warn of changes in gradient.
Sloped surfaces should not exceed a gradient in excess of 1:20.
Pedestrian access to a building should be well-signed, providing clear, incremental levels of information from Campus threshold to destination building.
Large areas of featureless paving should be avoided.
Main access routes should be 1800mm wide (2000mm preferred). Other pathways (not on main access routes) should be a minimum of 1500mm wide. Routes should be well lit to enhance visibility but avoid glare in relation to orientation. The design of a building should make clear the location of the principal entry point to publicly accessible facilities. Use of appropriate materials and making visual connections from outside the building to inside will reduce reliance on signage to assist wayfinding.
All principal building entrances should be accessible. Where revolving doors are selected as an appropriate mechanism for main entrance positions, considerations should be given to their size and operation in respect to accessibility, or provision of automated accessible doorsets provided immediately adjacent. Accessible entrances should be main entrances points, and they should not increase physical distance to gain access to a building. There should be no distinction between accessible entrance and other identified access locations.
The design of the external environment surrounding proposed development should provide the required number of accessible parking spaces within 45m of the principal entrance to the buildings, which are well lit for evening use, taking account of the requirement for 24hour access to specific functions, without contradicting the University of Glasgow Transport Plan. Safe drop-off provision should be provided close to the principal entrance to each building.
Entrance lobbies and waiting areas should form a warm and inviting environment. Fixtures and fittings are to be considered relative to all user groups and in relation to accessibility and inclusiveness. Design considerations such as lighting, acoustics, colour and tonal contrast, operation of doors (automatic or semi-automatic), minimum width of doors, level thresholds and entry systems, etc. should all meet as a minimum the basic standards highlighted to reflect the intent of the University of Glasgow Equality and Diversity Policy.
Door access controls and entry system components should be mounted at a height between 900 and 1050mm above finished ground/floor level, and must be accessible to building users in a wheelchair and those of shorter stature
Mental health wellbeing should be considered at entrance spaces, with the incorporation of materials which absorb noise and are not harsh in light or colour. Entry points to buildings should allow the eyes and ears to adapt to the environment. Clear visual cues to information, signage and welcome points are essential. Arrival space within all new University buildings should immediately feel ‘safe and secure’.
Assistive technology such as induction loops should be installed as standard practice within reception desks and in public spaces within buildings, for convenience of varying users groups. Infrared systems should be incorporated within the facilities to all learning/teaching spaces throughout the Western campus development.
There is an institutional responsibility on the University to retain manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters on campus. Space is to be provided for storing up to two of these items within each development, in a position close to the principal entrance. A charging point for mobility scooters should also be provided within each building, close to the principal entrance.
A dog spend for use by guide dogs should be provided in appropriate locations close to buildings developed on the Western campus. A small fenced area with gate should be formed, with a water supply and drainage outlet. A bin and glove/bag dispenser should also be provided.
10.3 Accessible Routes & Wayfinding
A detailed access statement should be developed as a means to express intent at the design briefing stage. This should be expanded and reviewed at each stage of the design development process. This document should provide commentary on planning, design, management and maintenance requirements.
Following surveys carried out by DisabledGo, University of Glasgow Equality and Diversity Unit and Estates and Buildings continue to review established and clearly identified, cross campus accessible routes.
Diagrammatic proposals for provision of accessible routes are indicated within section 1.1.2 of the Gilmorehill Campus Masterplan and Infrastructure Design.
This framework should be continued and extended in a coherent and consistent manner to identify and sign accessible routes created as part of the Western campus development. These should be continually assessed and amended as necessary to reflect the changing nature of the site as it undergoes phased development.
Doors across main circulation routes should be fitted with hold open devices, where appropriate and as agreed with the University Health and Fire Safety teams. Where hold open devices are not deemed appropriate by Health and Fire Safety teams, automatic opening devices on proximity sensors or similar system should be provided to the satisfaction of Estates and Buildings.
Permanent ramps, whose position is clearly signed, should be used as a device to manage changes in level within new buildings, rather than introducing platform lifts. The use of temporary ramps to resolve accessibility issues will not be permitted. Details of access provision should be outlined and confirmed within the Accessibility report forming part of the Design Stage reports submitted at agreed points in the design process.
Handrails to steps or ramp features externally and internally should be provided at two different heights. Provision of studding to handrails within the last metre should be considered to provide warning to visually impaired persons of the end of a handrail approaching.
The interior design strategy for new buildings should at all times aid accessibility for occupants. Natural and obvious routes through buildings and to major circulation cores should be established, using appropriate signage to compliment wayfinding.
Signage should be located at appropriate heights, and in locations that are consistent and recognisable at key arrival points. There should be high levels of contrast between signage background and the text used. Pastel colours should be avoided.
Refer to BREAAM credit reference Hea - 06 - Safety and Security, to find out more about security BREEAM credits.
Signage for core services within buildings should be consistent throughout the new campus. Refer to Section 12.0- Internal Signage for further details.
10.4 Reception
• Wall and floor surfaces should be non-reflective to sound and light.
• Levels of artificial lighting should be higher to act as a transition zone from the brighter natural daylight outside.
• Lighting should not cast shadows to allow people to lip-read.
• Blinds or anti-glare film should be fitted to windows to reduce solar glare.
• Areas such as lifts, stairs, toilets and offices should be clearly signed from reception.
• The reception desk or information point should be positioned in clear view of the entrance door and should contrast in colour and tone with its immediate surroundings.
• There should be a clear floor space of 1200mm depth adjacent to the desk for manoeuvring where a knee space is provided. Where no knee space is provided, a 1400mm space should be available.
• Suitable provision should be given for access to reception desks by wheelchair users on both sides of the desk. The desk counter should be at height of 760mm with a minimum knee space 800mm wide, 500mm deep and 700mm high. Depth of recess should be 650mm on receptionist side of the desk, and 500mm on the public side.
• The width of work surface where wheelchair access is provided should be 1800mm to provide space for a companion. Depth of work surface should be a minimum of 700mm.
• The maximum reach to the centre of desk should be 500mm.
• Colour and tonal contrast should be used to define the edge of the desk from the counter top.
• Glass screens should be avoided where possible. Where they are required for security reasons they should be constructed of non-reflective glass.
• An induction loop and corresponding signage should be provided.
10.5 Toilets & Changing Places
The University of Glasgow aim to provide a range of toilet facilities in all of their buildings, including but not exclusively gender neutral toilets. It is important that building occupants are given a choice in the facilities provided.
Gender neutral toilets shall contain a single WC pan, with wash hand basin and hand dryer, soap and paper towel dispensers. They should each be provided with sanitary bins. Discussions with the University of Glasgow project team should be sought to agree a reasonable proportion of gender neutral WC facilities throughout all proposed buildings.
Accessible WC facilities shall be gender neutral, although these alone cannot be relied on as the only gender neutral facilities in a building. They should also be located adjacent to the wider toilet facilities to avoid creating longer travel distances for the users. Provision of both left and right handed transfer should be considered across the overall provision of accessible toilets within buildings. Ostomy shelves should be provided in all accessible WCs and changing places facilities.
People with disabilities should not have to travel further or make more effort to get to an accessible facility than others using WC facilities.
Accessible WCs should be located on accessible routes and be clearly signed.
The University of Glasgow are supporters of the ‘Changing Places’ campaign which promote larger facilities that have the appropriate sanitaryware and equipment, including a changing bench and a hoist, designed to support disabled people. An appropriately featured space of minimum 12sqm in area should be located on the ground floor of each facility within the Western campus. The facility should include:
• adult sized changing bench- height adjustable
• washbasin- height adjustable
• ceiling track hoist system
• centrally located toilet with space both sides for assistants
• hinged/fixed support grab rails capable of accommodating the necessary loading
• privacy screen
• wide paper roll
• large waste disposal bin
• sanitary bin
The provision of showering facilities are recommended for managed buildings such as leisure facilities. Requirement for showers within these facilities should be agreed with the project team.
Further information can be found on the website http://changing-places.org/
Floor mounted or variable height wash/dryer WCs should be installed in all new academic facilities on the Western campus site. Their location should be agreed with University project team, however consideration should be given to meeting this provision within clearly identified accessible WC or changing places facility. Ancillary requirements for seat lifters and appropriate proposals for support rails to be agreed.
Specific considerations for accessible WC facilities:
• Side hung doors should open outwards. If doors must open inwards an additional allowance of 1100mm x 700mm clear space must be made.
• Toilet doors should have a minimum clear opening width of 850mm preferably 900mm.
• Easy to grip pull-bars should be fitted to the inward face of the door to aid closing.
• Doors should not open onto a main pedestrian route.
• Where doors cannot open onto a corridor, sliding and bi-fold doors are suitable alternatives.
• Door locks must be easy to use and should have clearly visible ‘free/engaged’ signs on the outward face of the door. Locks should be operable from the outside in case of emergency.
• Ideally lighting should be activated by a motion sensor.
• Manual light switches should be large rocker switches and should be positioned 1050mm from the floor.
• Alarm cords should be provided in accessible positions. They should have an easy to grip toggle/ring, should be clearly signed and should contrast with the surrounding walls and fittings.
• The alarm should activate an alert in a staffed central area to ensure a quick response.
• Fittings must be robust and securely fitted to walls, floors, etc. and all should contrast in tone and colour with their surroundings.
• Grab rails should be a minimum 35mm diameter, be easy to grip even when wet and be located in the correct place.
• Toilet seats should be at a height of 450-500mm. The pan should project 750mm from the cistern wall and the flush handle must be located on the transfer side of the toilet at a height of 800mm. Seats should not incorporate lids.
• Wash hand basins should be located at 720-740mm above the floor. Pedestals are to be avoided and pipework should be fitted in such a way that it does not obstruct wheelchair users’ knees.
• In an off-centre layout (right- or left-handed transfer), a small shallow basin should be specified and fitted 890-910mm from the cistern wall.
• In a peninsular layout (dual transfer), the wash hand basin should be located clear of the transfer and manoeuvring space. This is the preferred layout for toilets.
• A perch seat or shelf should be provided adjacent to the toilet in a dual transfer layout; the seat should be 300mm deep and at a height of 650mm.
• Taps should be single lever mixer fittings with a spray nozzle, with hot and cold clearly marked with conventional red and blue. In off-centre layout WCs, the tap should be positioned nearest the toilet.
• Hand driers, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers and toilet paper dispensers should be fitted no higher than 1200mm from the floor.
• Floor coverings should be non-slip, even when wet, and should contrast in tone/colour with the walls.
• Walls should be non-reflective and contrast in tone/colour with the sanitary fittings fixed to them. Refer to Section 2.0 Space Standards for further detail.
10.6 Accessible showers
• An accessible shower should always have a WC
• There should be at least 1500mm diameter clear turning circle within the facility.
• Effective space at low level should not be obstructed by pipework, ducts or radiators.
• Showers should have a flexible hose and should be adjustable from both a seated and standing position. At its lowest level the hose should be no more than 1200mm from the shower tray/floor; the shower mixer should be easy to operate and should be centred between 900-1200mm above floor level.
• A fold down seat should be provided within the shower – it should contrast in tone/colour with the shower tray and walls.
10.7 Families and New Parents
Consideration should be given to the requirements of families and new parents using the new facilities. Each developed facility should include baby changing facilities, breastfeeding rooms and suitable facilities for the safe storage of expressed milk.
These facilities not only support the University of Glasgow Athena SWAN goals, but offer comfort and reduce inconvenience for many University users.
Breast feeding and baby changing facilities should be included within each new building. Consideration should be given to the planning and adjacencies to other facilities such ASWC accommodation as part of a suite of accommodation for the convenience of parents with young children.
The University requires these spaces to have, as a minimum:
• lockable door.
• hand washing facilities.
• baby changing facilities.
• microwave.
• fridge for storing expressed milk.
• appropriate furniture such as a comfortable chair and footstool.
• small power outlets.
• consideration should be given to the provision of hot water supply for preparation of formula and foods.
Self-catering facilities should be explored by providing microwave, fridge banks with instant hot water in appropriate hubs.
A suitable area within key learning / student hubs should be identified for child friendly study space. The space should be enclosed and/or equipped with furniture that can be flexibly configured and arranged to support self-supervision of children by parents.
Requirement for this type of space within individual buildings should be agreed with the project sponsor.
The ‘‘Student Maternity, Maternity Support and Adoption Policy’’ is available from the University of Glasgow which contains information about the University’s breastfeeding policy.
10.8 Reflection rooms
An appropriately designed space for quiet prayer, contemplation and meditation should be incorporated into each development on the Western campus site.
A room of at least 16m² in area should be provided. It should be square in shape.
It should be able to be divided for segregated prayer, if that is required.
A storage area of 3m² should be provided adjacent to the reflection room, accessed from within the room and capable of accommodating furniture or artifacts and symbols associated with a variety of faiths or no faith.
It should be understood that these rooms will not be for the exclusive use of a single faith group and may from time to time be given over to alternative activities such as clubs and societies, bookable through the Central Timetabling team.
The design must ensure all groups feel welcome in the rooms therefore the rooms should be as plain as possible, using natural materials rather than colours, and with symbols and artefacts available from storage rather than permanently on display.
A room for male and female should be provided adjacent to the reflection room for performing ablutions as necessary before some prayers. Two wash places should be provided, with appropriate water supply, taps , seating and drainage.
The Religion and Beliefs Policy can be found in Appendix H of the University of Glasgow’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
10.9 Teaching/Laboratory Environments
The University seeks to promote inclusiveness in the design and delivery of the learning and teaching environment across campus, including lectures, lab work, learning resources, libraries and computer facilities; as follows:
• AV and presentation technology should be provided to support learning and teaching, and with systems that are accessible to all students and staff.
• Induction loop or infra-red systems to be installed in University teaching and reception areas.
• Dimmable and task lighting should be installed as required.
• Spaces for wheelchairs should be provided in all lecture theatres. These spaces should allow wheelchair users and their non-wheelchair user companions to sit together.
• Spaces for wheelchairs should be provided at a minimum of 6 or 1% of the total seating provision, whichever is greater.
• There should be sufficient circulation room to allow wheelchair users to manoeuvre into a space.
• Appropriate levels of colour and tonal contrast should be achieved in all wall floor and ceiling finishes, and furniture
• Consideration should be given to provision of acoustic ceilings, carpeting to floors and sound absorbing panels as means to reduce reverberation within spaces, mitigating the possibility of disruptive background noise achieved in all wall, floor and ceiling finishes. Contrast levels between walls, doors and ironmongery should also be carefully considered.
• Movable tables and chairs should be used to provide flexible layouts. Movable furniture should be lightweight and on castors/wheels
• Provision to be made for height adjustable laboratory benching and sinks to meet specific users needs. Proportion of variable height facilities to be agreed with project team at the outset of the project.
• At least one height adjustable fume cupboard should be provided within each laboratory.
• All equipment located within teaching and research spaces should be accessible to any person in a wheelchair or with mobility difficulties.
• Lecterns within teaching spaces should be variable height, capable of accommodating adjustment for both standing and seated users. A seat should also be provided for convenience.
10.10 Office/Workspace
Improvements to the quality of the office environment should be developed with an inclusive design approach with a drive toward a more effective use of space whilst taking cognisance of the following issues:
• A range of work environments should be provided. Building users should have the opportunity to adopt specifically zoned work areas for specific tasks, and adapt those spaces to meet their specific requirements.
• A range of enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces should be provided to allow users who have regular need of a quiet working space to have access to such.
• Office layouts should ensure that there is adequate space planned to permit the unrestricted manoeuvrability of wheelchairs.
• There should be areas planned into the office layouts to provide personal space for the making of telephone calls away from the main office environment.
• Noisy activities such as kitchens, photocopy/printer areas, social or collaborative group spaces should be carefully considered in the planning of new environments, separated from other work spaces to minimise visual and acoustic distraction.
• Natural lighting should be exploited wherever possible, however consideration should be given to orientation and means to control glare.
• Ambient lighting should be designed to appropriate levels, and should be controlled by building users on a zonal basis.
• Adaptable task lighting should be provided.
• Consideration should be given to provision of acoustic ceilings, carpeting to floors and sound absorbing panels as means to reduce reverberation within spaces, mitigating the possibility of disruptive background noise.
• Adjustable height desks should be provided in a range of workspaces to meet specific users’ needs. Provision should be made at a rate of 20% of overall desk/workstation in any particular building.
• All equipment located within teaching and research spaces should be accessible to any person in a wheelchair or with mobility difficulties.
• All specified flooring should be accessible for wheelchair uses and ambulant disabled persons.
10.11 Catering
The provision of food to meet a wide range of dietary requirements is fundamental to staff and students experience and where fuller choice is offered, individual’s social experiences in turn will be improved through better opportunities to mix and create network with others.
The University of Glasgow has both direct and indirect responsibility for the supply of food to staff and students through a number of outlets across campus, including cafes, restaurants, vending machines, student residences, hospitality and social events. The following should be given consideration:
• The need for separate facilities for the service of food and for the storage and preparation of food in catering outlets for religious observances.
• Assistive technology such as induction loops should be installed as standard practice within café and servery space within new buildings.
• Adequate space around servery areas should be provided for the manoeuvring of wheelchairs.
• Care should be taken to avoid designing public routes through bars or areas that may provide alcohol without suitable alternative route for those whose religious belief does not allow that interface.
10.12 Emergency Evacuation Arrangements
At least one emergency evacuation lift should be provided in each new building, with a minimum car size of 1100 x 1400mm. Specific requirements of considerations for car size and configuration should be reviewed on an individual basis, depending on function and user requirement.
A lift car with minimum internal dimension of 2000 x 1400mm will be required to allow a wheelchair to turn around in-car.
Evacuation lifts must be sited within a protected enclosure with protected lobbies at each storey served by the lift.
There should be a protected route from the lift lobby at the final exit storey to the final exit itself.
Numerals and symbols on lift buttons and arrows on door controls should be embossed and have braille indicators.
Lift floors, walls and doors should contrast tonally- shiny materials should be avoided.
Evacuation chairs are to be provided in each escape core nominated and trained staff within each building shall co-ordinate safe evacuations.
Refuge areas should be located in a fire-protected area, providing sufficient space to enable people to wait in safety until assistance is available.
Minimum dimensions of refuges should be 1200 x 700mm, although 1400 x 900mm is preferable. Location of refuge areas should not block the pedestrian line of travel.
The occupancy of the building should be taken into account when creating refuges.
Refuge areas should be clearly signposted and should be provided with a means of communicating with the rescue party.
The communication link should be simple and logical to operate. Controls should not be positioned more than 1400mm above the floor surface and should contrast in tone/colour with their background. They should have audible and visual indications and be fitted with an inductive coupler.
A refuge alert system should be provided that is consistent with systems used elsewhere within the existing campus to ensure familiarity of use amongst students and staff.
Clear, illuminated signage on escape routes must be provided – it should be carefully located, concise and easy to read.
Stairs for emergency evacuation should be designed to the same standards as all other stairs.
Emergency lighting should be used to indicate the route, provide illumination along the route, and to locate and operate fire-fighting equipment.
10.13 Secured by Design
New facilities designed for the Western Campus site should attain Secured by Design accreditation in all areas of the facility specifications, and in the design response to the individual masterplan plots.
Interim conditions of phased developments should be considered, and all completed phase conditions should provide a safe environment within the Campus.
Refer to BREEAM credit reference Hea - 06 - Safety and Security, to find out more about security BREEAM credits.
10.14 Review Board
Project teams will be required to submit designs at appropriate, agreed stages for scrutiny by a review board comprising student representations and staff from Equality and Diversity Unit, Disability Service, Estates and Buildings and Central Services. Other representation from University departments will be invited on to a review board as required.
Appropriateness of design for the University must be considered. For example:
Creates an accessible environment. | Not overwhelming for people with autism or sensory impairments. | Not every toilet should be gender neutral but the option for users should be available. | Ease of use for wheelchair users. | Good choice of material and integrated into the building and surrounding area to create an accessible route. | Must be incorporated into design to help the visually impaired. The stairs above are a trip hazard for the visually impaired. | Ablution points incorporated
into facilities in close proximity to a pray room. |
---|
Should be wheelchair friendly where possible. |
The position of the room should | Enough space should be allocated for wheelchairs as well as lowered counters. | Accessible access must be considered for all areas. | Must be incorporated into the fire escape strategy.. | Accessible access must be considered for buildings with no accessible route to floors above. | Accessible access must be considered for all doors. |
---|
Please submit any further questions either via the SHW suggestions box or by emailing shwadmin@glasgow.ac.uk.