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Old
North Church Accessibility and Restoration
Boston, Massachusetts
In order to provide universal access to the most-visited church
in Boston, Claude Emanuel Menders, Architects Inc. redesigned the main entrance
doors, vestibule and brick forecourt of the Old North Church. At the same
time, the wrought iron fence, gates and stone base were restored, with the
new steps to the sidewalk allowing the re-laid brick pavers to ramp up to
the entrance. The front doors were replaced in a design to match archival
photographs, with both concealed and exposed hardware to satisfy requirements
for fire egress, functional flexibility, and historical accuracy.
This project received an Award from the Boston Society of
Architects and the Massachusetts Archival Access Board for "access solutions
which are innovative, creative, aesthetically pleasing and usable by everyone."
The success of this endeavor is in the inconspicuous nature
of changes to the main facade of this National Historic Landmark.
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Accessibility
to the Old North Church is now achieved from the city sidewalk
via sloping brick sidewalks between the entry tower and the restored
fence. The shallow gradient of the brick paving on the side avoids
the requirement for handrails. The new doors, which replaced a ca.
1910 pair, lead to the renovated vestibule which was raised level
with the sanctuary. Both sets of doors are now equipped with non-latching
push-pull hardware and concealed doors closers meeting accessibility
regulations. The exterior doors can swing outward for fire emergency
egress without the need for unsightly panic hardware.
The wrought iron fence at Salem Street was rebuilt
on concrete foundations with re-laid granite stones. The existing vertical
railings were reused with new cross-rails, posts and gates. Salvaged
granite steps from and 18th century New England church were used
at the center gate.
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