Conservation work at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, England, gained global attention with the release of Ed Sheeran’s ode to his hometown, “Castle on the Hill”. When it was suggested the final phase of the $1.6 million project should feature two public access staircases to enable visitors to see the restored walls close up, those involved in the project recognized they needed to work with specialists who could deliver the best solution.
Following a site visit, the scaffold/stair tower manufacturer and design specialists Creator Temporary Works and Design, Rotherham, England, finalized a scheme for two 31-foot staircases, before spending more time onsite to assist with minor modifications required to protect important historic features of the 12th-century fortress.
It was then that it was realized the temporary staircases provided an opportunity to create a unique visitor attraction by adding a slide. The unique idea posed design challenges that needed to be overcome quickly and effectively. The scaffold/stair tower manufacturer had to keep the design compact while creating a waiting area at the top of the slide and ensuring the 21-foot-high slide could curve around the temporary staircase, keeping clear of the scaffold buttress.
The solution was to move the entrance step to the opposite side of the staircase, adding an extra 5.4- by 5.4-foot bay and an entrance step going up to the first landing. This meant only two 5.4-foot bays were needed to be added for a walkway and waiting area, allowing the slide to sweep unhindered to the ground.
In two days, the equipment was onsite and erection was completed, allowing hundreds of children to slide down the wall of an ancient Suffolk landmark.
Materials
Scaffold/Stair Tower Manufacturer: UK System Scaffold Hire
Photo: Andy Greenacre