Balancing tradition

Posted May 18, 2014

Adding Accessibility to Historical Buildings

According to ADA standards, only one pathway in historical buildings needs to be accessible to everyone.

Old College at the University of Georgia in Athens is the oldest building on campus and a treasured icon. It sits in the middle of the quad, anchoring two green spaces around it. Constructed in 1806, the building (shown above) has undergone majorÂ changes in the last 190 years. In the early 1900s the building was in poor condition and was essentially reconstructed. Then in 1942, the interior was signifi cantly altered. Three years ago Old College was due for yet another renovation; this time the building needed to be brought up to code within the parameters of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (College Planning & Management Magazine, March 2008)