An existing building may have been designed for a different time, user group or set of expectations. As facilities continue to serve people with varied needs, owners and project teams may need to understand where access barriers exist and which improvements should be considered. A barrier-free design consultancy perspective can help bring structure to this work by focusing on the actual building, its facilities and the way people use its spaces.
Start With the Building as It Is Used
Reviewing an existing facility requires more than looking at a floor plan. Drawings can provide useful information about the layout, but they may not show every issue that affects a person's experience when entering and moving through the building.
A practical assessment considers the relationship between different areas. A person may be able to reach the main entrance but encounter difficulties when trying to find a reception desk, use a toilet or access another floor. Looking at these connections helps project teams understand whether the building provides a usable experience across its different spaces.
The scope of an assessment will depend on the facility and the information available. Relevant areas may include:
- The approach to the building and its main entrances.
- Accessible parking and drop-off arrangements.
- Internal routes, corridors and circulation spaces.
- Vertical circulation between different levels.
- Toilets, service areas and shared facilities.
- Signage, wayfinding and emergency provisions.
The purpose is to identify access gaps and understand where improvements may be needed. A clear review can help owners move beyond general observations and focus on specific parts of the facility.
Turn Findings Into Clear Improvement Priorities
Identifying barriers is only one part of improving an existing building. Owners and project teams also need to understand what the findings mean for future decisions. A useful assessment should communicate issues clearly and provide recommendations that can guide further planning.
This is where a structured barrier-free design consultancy approach can support decision-making. Instead of treating every observation as an isolated item, the review can help connect identified gaps with the wider use of the facility.
The findings should remain connected to the actual building and its circumstances. Recommendations need to reflect the facility's layout, intended use and relevant accessibility requirements. This avoids presenting generic solutions that may not respond to the conditions found during the assessment.
Prepare the Facility for a Formal Review
Some building owners have an additional objective: preparing a facility for accessibility certification, authority review or another project-specific approval. This requires attention not only to physical provisions but also to the information used to demonstrate how those provisions have been addressed.
RHFAC certification readiness may be relevant when a project is preparing for the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification process. A readiness assessment can help examine whether an existing facility or completed development is prepared for the applicable review. It can also identify missing information and potential issues that should be considered before formal submission or inspection.
This type of review does not replace the formal certification assessment. Instead, it helps clients understand their current level of preparation and identify matters that may need attention before the formal process.
A useful preparation exercise can help teams:
- Understand which certification or authority requirements apply.
- Review available drawings and supporting documents.
- Identify potential non-compliances and approval risks.
- Find missing information or evidence.
- Organise records before formal submission.
- Consider practical steps for addressing identified gaps.
By addressing these matters earlier, project teams can improve the quality of their preparation and reduce the possibility of late-stage redesign or avoidable submission problems.
Keep Stakeholders Aligned During Improvements
Work on an existing facility may involve owners, designers, facility managers and other project stakeholders. Each group may have a different understanding of the building and its priorities. A clear assessment helps create a shared reference point for discussions.
RHFAC certification readiness can also benefit from coordinated preparation. When stakeholders understand the relevant requirements and know which documents or evidence are still needed, they can work towards a more organised review process.
The aim is not simply to complete a list of observations. It is to help the people responsible for a facility understand the findings, consider practical responses and keep accessibility visible as decisions are made.
Conclusion
Existing buildings can become more usable when access barriers are identified clearly and improvement decisions are based on the facility's actual conditions. A structured RHFAC certification readiness review can further help owners and project teams understand relevant requirements, identify missing evidence and prepare for a formal assessment. Combining practical assessment with organised planning supports more informed decisions about accessibility and the long-term use of built environments.
FAQ
1. Why should an existing building be assessed?
An assessment can help identify access gaps that may affect how people enter, move through and use a facility. It provides owners with a clearer understanding of areas that may need improvement.
2. Does an assessment only focus on entrances?
No. Depending on the scope, it may consider routes, parking, toilets, vertical circulation, signage, service areas, wayfinding and emergency provisions across the facility.
3. What happens after accessibility gaps are identified?
The findings can be organised into clear recommendations. Owners and project teams can then consider the issues, determine where further work is needed and plan appropriate improvements.
4. What information may be needed before a certification review?
Relevant information may include drawings, checklists, supporting documents and evidence related to accessibility provisions. The exact requirements depend on the certification framework and project.
