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Singer Building

Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1DQ

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Downing College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Downing College is situated in Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the campus is located in Regent Street. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • Downing College has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located along North Range where there are 5 Blue Badge parking pays. There are some Fellows' parking bays in the area behind the Lord Butterfield Bar & Café but they were blocked off at the time of the survey. The College also leases parking for postgraduates outside some of the buildings in Lensfield Road. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Downing College there are many sheltered cycle stands available on-site along the North Range access road and also in the service yard outside Battcock Lodge.
    • For more information on getting to Downing College by road please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located in Regent Street. Access is via a single pedestrian gate with a card reader which is situated to the left of the vehicular entrance (Photograph 1). The gate may be difficult for some to open and has an opening width of 100cm. The height of the card reader is 102cm.
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via the Howard Gate which is a pedestrian entrance situated in the Downing site of the University of Cambridge (Photograph 2). The gate opens automatically away from you and is activated by either pressing the button (height 112cm) or using the card reader (height 110cm). The card reader must be used outside the hours of 10.00 – 16.30.
    • Key card holders can also access the site via a pedestrian gate in Lensfield Road between Buildings 34 and 36 (Photograph 3). The gate is single, opens away from you (push) and may be difficult for some to open. The height of the card reader is 115cm and the opening width of the gateway is 110cm. There is a short steep downhill slope along the path just beyond this entrance (Photograph 4).
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bays in the North Range area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the Downing College site. The site is mostly level with wide paths (150cm+) but path surfaces do vary. The paths that run around the large central grass area (The Quadrangle and The Paddock) have a gravel surface that may not be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments (Photographs 5-8). Other areas have surfaced paths of various types (flagstone paving, tarmac, concrete, block paving and resin bound gravel) (Photographs 9-12). Most of the surfaced paths have a flat, smooth surface except some in the area outside Kenny A which is slightly uneven (Photograph 13).
    • There is stepped access to the West Lodge Garden. The steps do not have handrails (Photographs 14 and 15). The external parts of the site are otherwise step-free except for access into buildings.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Downing College have stepped access into and around them (Photographs 16 and 17). Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including access ramps to bypass external steps (Photographs 18 and 19) and internal lifts to access other floors. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is not much directional signage around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will need an escort or a map to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Porters’ Lodge and B Stair near the Dining Hall.
    • There are some bollards along paths and access routes. All bollards have a good colour contrast with the path surfaces. The width between the bollards is at least 90cm (Photographs 20-21).

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (North Range Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Regent Street, past the Porters' Lodge, along the access road behind the Chapel.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those at the north side of the site.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 245cm x 470cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is a campus map available within the car park.
  • Comments View
    • The car park surface is mostly resin bound gravel with some loose gravel surface electric vehicle and standard parking bays.
    • There are 8 electric vehicle charging points.

Getting To (The Singer Building)

  • Location View
    • The Singer Building is located in the south east corner of Downing College grounds.
    • The Singer Building is located off The Quadrangle, near the tennis courts.
    • There are push pad operated doors into the Richard Frischmann rooms corridor.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Singer Building.
    • Other services / Facilities within the building include; an accessible room, accommodation rooms and kitchen / dining room.
    • There is not step-free access to the accommodation on the first and second floors.
    • Downing College link (new tab) - click here.

Outside Access (Singer Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the Godfrey Bradman Rooms, Richard Frischmann Rooms and main staircase.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'The Singer Building'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 136cm .
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 165cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • The details for the second set of doors is the entrance leading to the Godfrey Bradman Rooms on the ground floor.
      There is similar access to the Richard Frischmann Rooms on the ground floor (as shown in photograph 3). There are identical entrances to rooms on the first floor and second floor. The Richard Frischmann entrance is push pad operated, but on exit only.

Getting Around (Singer Building)

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • There is stepped access to the Flemming Heilmann Rooms, the Keio Rooms and the second floor rooms.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is wood and carpet.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some corridors/walkways.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Accommodation (Room 3)

  • Accessible Room Information View
    • This type of accessible room is located on the ground floor, within the Godfrey Bradman Rooms section.
    • There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
    • Residents need to open a door between the entrance and the room(s).
    • The room surveyed does not have an adjoining room.
  • Accessible Room Features View
    • The accessible room surveyed is located on the ground floor, within the Godfrey Bradman Rooms.
    • The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was Room 3.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is high.
    • The door is manual with a key lock.
    • The width of the door is 86cm.
    • There are not lowered spy holes available.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is low.
    • The bed height is not adjustable.
    • The height of the bed is 62cm.
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 5cm (2in).
    • The bed is moveable.
    • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
    • The height of the desk is 74cm.
    • The desk is not height adjustable.
    • The desk knee recess has the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
    • The room surveyed had a height adjustable chair without armrests.
    • Wardrobes have not been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • Electric sockets are not between 40cm and 100cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The window control type(s) for the room is a/are standard lever(s).
    • The window controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is not an emergency alarm in the room.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • The colour contrast between the room walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels in the room are moderate to good.
  • Bathroom Facilities View
    • This information relates to the ensuite.
    • The colour contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The bathroom door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door into the bathroom is 77cm.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 190cm x 170cm.
    • The bathroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the ensuite is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf immediately next to or behind the toilet.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps do not have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The lighting levels in the bathroom are good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 52cm (1ft 8in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The toilet has a lid.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Shower Details View
    • The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is fixed.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • Shower controls have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower.

Kitchen/Dining Area (The Godfrey Bradmann Rooms)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
  • The door is not push pad activated.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The kitchen does have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
  • There are low level cupboards.
  • The height of the dining table is 72cm.
  • There are dining chairs without armrests only.
  • There are similar kitchen / dining areas within the Singer Building.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the left as you enter the open porch area.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the porch entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G, 1, 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the first and second floor accommodation and laundry room in the basement.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.