Art, Accessibility and Heavy Lifting in Bristol, England

photo courtesy of DeSem Lifts

RWA, the Royal West of England Academy art gallery and school in Bristol, is unique. A spectacular Grade II* listed historic building (one of particular national importance and interest)[2] in the heart of the city, the RWA is the U.K.’s only Royal Academy of Art housed in its own, original, purpose-built structure. Sir Nicolas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, describes it as “one of the most beautiful places in which to look at art in this country.”[2] The oldest art gallery in the city, it opened in 1849, initially consisting of a group of well-known landscape painters known as the Bristol Society of Artists. RWA now hosts a vast array of exhibitions. On display are paintings, sculptures, mixed-media works, photography and more. So, when RWA officials needed a heavy-duty lift to transport both people and artwork — part of a GBP4.2-million (US$5.1-million) museum refurbishment with a strong focus on accessibility — they called upon DeSem Lifts, a nearly 20-year-old company in Stoke on Kent certified in the design, manufacture, supply, installation and testing of bespoke EN 81-compliant units. All of DeSem’s direct-acting designs are ropeless for ease of maintenance and testing. These now include the large hydraulic, four-stop lift serving RWA, which is:

• UKCA marked
• A 40-person, 3000-kg capacity unit
• Outfitted with 2 m X 3 m tall doors within a structural steel shaft
• Able to accommodate four wheelchair users and their assistants up and down three floors

DeSem Managing director Dave Martin says the system’s structural shaft was “stood off” from the historic building to avoid existing footings. In addition, special permission was obtained for a shallower-than-normal lift pit to minimize underground water. The icing on the cake, however, is a “very nice artistic wrapper” the unit received upon completion. What makes the wrapping special is it is a work of art in itself. RWA commissioned artist Peter Randall-Page, who is known for drawing inspiration from geometric shapes and nature, to design the piece. Upon the museum reopening in the spring, RWA Director Alison Bevan told The Bristol Magazine:

“Originally, the architect was going to design some plain cladding, but because we’re an art gallery and Grade II* listed building, we wanted to make sure it was aesthetically right for us. … The beauty of the enamel, which is made by a company called AJ Wells based in the Isle of Wight, [which] creates all of the London Underground’s signage and other architectural cladding, is that it has an exceptionally durable surface finish. It’s a practical solution, and I think it looks exquisite.” [4]

References

[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_West_of_England_Academy
[2] creterenovations.co.uk
[3] rwa.org.uk
[4] Restored to Glory: A Look Inside the New RWA,” The Bristol Magazine, May 2022.