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CORTICEIRA AMORIM SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF AN A+ ROOM THAT SIMULATES A VISIT TO THE CLERICS’ TOWER

This new space in Porto, which will be opened today within the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, aims to enhance the experience of mobility-impaired persons

Corticeira Amorim is a partner in the ACCESSO initiative launched by the Porto City Council, which aims to enhance the experience of mobility-impaired persons in Porto's urban, social, cultural and economic contexts. The sequence of events designed to improve accessibility has been distributed throughout the year 2015. The presentation of the "Acesso.04 - Culture, Heritage and Inclusion" project is scheduled for today, December 3rd, 2015.

In this context, Amorim Cork Insulation has supported the building of a semicircular shaped cork capsule that will be installed at the Museum of the Clerics' Tower. It is a multisensory perception structure simulating the experience of a visit to the top of this historic iconic building in Porto making thus possible to observe in real time the panoramic views of the city that were only available to those walking up the stairs to the top of the Clerics' Tower. The access to one of the city's most sought-after attractions is thus widened to all visitors.

João Pestana, an architect at the Porto's Land-Use Development and Planning Division, has opted for insulation corkboard, a material manufactured by Amorim Cork Insulation, because of its versatility that fits the envisioned idea while meeting, at the same time, the insulation requirements necessary to provide a great experience for visitors. The architect responsible for the project explained the idea: "According to the original guidelines, seven screens monitoring the landscape have been installed in a semicircular shaped structure, giving visitors real-time glimpses of the city's landscape. The capsule, made from overlapped cork panels, accommodates the technological devices and provides the necessary insulation to not disturb the observation. Whereas the semicircular shaped structure allows for an easy installation in the room, its composition of lightweight blocks enables an easy assembling and the required versatility, comfort and security to accommodate an exhibition space. The result is a more accessible, a more appealing, a more attractive room, i.e. an A+ room."

The "Acesso.04 - Culture, Heritage and Inclusion" initiative closes the cycle of events dedicated to accessibility, attempting to remedy the difficulties encountered by disabled persons in gaining access to buildings. This space has been created taking advantage of the recent major refurbishment and conversion works carried out at one of the most prestigious buildings in the city of Porto, the Clerics' complex that includes a Tower, a Church and a Museum.

Lia Ferreira, Porto's Ombudswoman for Disabled Citizens, said: "This important milestone in the history of the city of Porto and certainly for all people visiting the Clérigos' Tower, has emerged from an idea and a personal desire to widen the horizons of Inclusion/Integration even when the City's Architectural and Cultural Heritage is at issue. Therefore, the partnership with Amorim Cork Insulation has proved critical as the company quickly understood our strategic vision for the project and teamed up with us to develop this project. This partnership among the Porto City Council, Amorim Cork Insulation and the Brotherhood of the Clerics is thus a proof that you can do more and better in the interest of everyone when efforts and enthusiasm go hand in hand in the same direction."

The opening event of the "Acesso.04 - Heritage, Culture and Inclusion" project will be held today, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, at the A+ Room at the Clerigos' Tower. The ceremony will be chaired by the Mayor of Porto, Mr. Rui Moreira and will be attended by Mr. Carlos Manuel Oliveira (CEO of Amorim Cork Insulation), and Priest Américo Aguiar (Chairman of the Brotherhood of the Clerics).

About the ACCESSO initiatives

As part of the celebration of the International Day of People with Disabilities, Porto's Ombudswoman for Disabled Citizens in partnership with the Regional Association for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage (ARPPA) organized a sequence of events under the title ACCESSO. Those events are dedicated to accessibility issues, are aimed at creating spaces for debate and dialogue and are divided into various categories. It is likely that a few key ideas will be born from the discussion and contributions of the participants.

The sequence of events will be completed on December 3, 2015. A manifesto compiling all issues discussed within the various ACCESSO initiatives will be then presented with the aim of laying down the axes of strategic priority.