RNIB

After 20 years in its Judd Street office in London’s Kings Cross, the Royal National Institute of Blind People recently moved to a new head office that better suited the charity’s evolving needs. The Grimaldi Building, a characterful self-contained office, serves as the charity's new London hub. Months of detailed planning and a thoughtful fit-out was required to ensure the new office facilities met the needs of all the RNIB employees and visitors. Understandably, accessible drinking water was a top priority.

"Zip HydroTaps have been used on a number of our projects and I have always found the team at Zip very willing to engage and explore a variety of user needs, which is really helpful – accessibility, clarity and ease of use is always a primary consideration for all our projects" Jean Hewitt, Inclusive Designer | Buro Happold

The brief

An essential amenity in the workplace, the RNIB needed to provide staff, visitors and volunteers with easy access to both boiling and chilled drinking water, for hot and cold beverages. Integrated consulting engineers and advisers Buro Happold had their inclusive design expert Jean Hewitt on hand to support the RNIB with the Grimaldi building refurbishment, advising on accessibility. Her primary focus was ensuring that the building design considered those with sight loss and with this in mind, began her search for a drinking water system that was as inclusive as possible.

The solution

Our HydroTap Accessibility range is designed specifically to support visually impaired, wheelchair and limited dexterity users. Jean chose to specify two HydroTap Accessibility models that provide instant filtered boiling and chilled drinking water. “I was attracted by the accessibility features, such as very clear colour coding and easy grip extended ‘ears’ for people who may have reduced dexterity and grip. The inclusion of tactile and Braille markings makes the use of the tap more intuitive for everyone,” explains Jean.

The results

"Zip HydroTaps have been used on a number of our projects and I have always found the team at Zip very willing to engage and explore a variety of user needs, which is really helpful – accessibility, clarity and ease of use is always a primary consideration for all our projects"

Jean Hewitt , Inclusive Designer

Buro Happold