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Institute of Astronomy (Observatory Building)

University of Cambridge, Madingley Rise, Cambridge, CB3 0HA

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building has a tarmac step-free surface and may be uneven in places.
  • The Observatory Building has 4 entrances.
    There are entrances at the front of the building, on the right and left-hand sides of the building and into the annexe at the rear of the building.
    All entrances have manual doors and provide access to the ground floor.
  • The front entrance is signed the Institute of Astronomy and is named The Observatory Library Entrance.
    All other entrances are not signed or named.
  • The most accessible (surveyed) entrance is to the right-hand side of the building and provides step-free access to the ground floor.
  • The other entrances all have manual doors and stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There are narrow corridors and portable ramps along circulation routes throughout the ground floor.
    The portable ramps are kept in place at all times.
    There is only stepped access to the first floor.
    There are no lifts in the building.
  • There are narrow walkways to the rear right of the building.
  • There are steps into some rooms, including room 34 on the ground floor and the kitchen in the annexe to the rear of the building.
  • There are 3 deep steps to the central staircase in the main building.
    There are 5 steps with a handrail on the right-hand side going up to access rooms 21 and 22 on the first floor.
    There is a medium height step between the main building and the annexe to the rear of the building on the first floor.
  • Floor surfaces are generally carpeted but there are some surfaces near the front entrance which are shiny and patterned.
  • There is seating in the link room between the annexe and Greenwich House to the rear of the building.
    There is a seat with armrests in the secure archive area on the first floor to the centre of the building.
  • There is a wall mounted building floor plan in Room C of the Library.
    There is no wayfinding or directional signage throughout the rest of the building.
  • Manual doors in corridors are generally held permanently open.
    There are some doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    There are manual double doors into the annexe to the rear right of the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are no toilets with adaptations available.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the centre of the building, and on the first floor at the far end of the building, at the top of the stairs.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the annexe to the rear right of the building.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front of the building, off A1303 Madingley Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • There is additional parking to the rear of the building.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 120cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 55cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 118cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the left after the accessible entrance.
  • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The main staircase near the accessible entrance serves rooms 13 to 18 on the first floor.
    There is a similar staircase to the far end of the building serving rooms 24 to 31 on the first floor.
    The stairs here have a handrail on the right going up.
    There is a further set of stairs to the centre of the building for access to rooms 21 and 22 and the secure archive area.
    The central stairs also have a handrail on the right going up.
    The handrails on the central stairs do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
    The central stairs also serve a third floor, which is out of bounds for purposes of access.