King’s College London – SHEA: Inclusive design shaped by the people who use it

The challenge

King’s College London (KCL) set out to create a new standard for accessible teaching lecterns across its learning estate. Rather than adapting a conventional lectern, the project began with a design drafted by King’s AV Solutions team and a KCL disability panel following months of consultation with disability advisers.

The ambition was clear, develop an Equality Act aligned lectern that offered dignified, practical access for a wide range of users while still meeting the demanding AV, security, and durability requirements of modern teaching spaces.

Working alongside AV integrator GVAV, we were made aware from the outset that KCL needed partners who are able to listen carefully, respect the work completed by the panel, challenge details constructively, and translate the concept into a dependable, accessible lectern.

Key project criteria:

Application: Small and medium teaching rooms and large lecture halls, with the potential to become a repeatable campus standard.
Inclusive access: Generous, obstruction free user position and adjustable worktop height, adjustable user controls and display.
Technology integration: AV/IT capacity and cable management.
Serviceability: Removable rack access, standardised security and simplified maintenance.
Mobility: Low-profile castors to allow repositioning within the room.
Aesthetic: A contemporary finish compatible with KCL’s existing furniture and environments.

A genuinely collaborative Design process

KCL’s schematic drawings presented a clear guide, from which TOP-TEC were able to develop a concept design. Following review with the university and its key stakeholders, we developed the engineering, component integration and manufacturing detail needed to turn it into a production ready solution.

The development process combined the accessibility intent of the panel with TOP-TEC’s experience in technical furniture. Iterative reviews of line drawings, rendered options and technical reviews allowed us to examine clearances, working height, rack capacity, mobility, cable management, and then work closely with integrator GVAV to establish the key AV requirements of the project.

Designing around the user

The design brief called for a 1900mm wide unit with a 1000mm obstruction free user space. A curved, reduced depth working section was proposed to bring controls and equipment within comfortable reach while preserving wheelchair access and clear leg space. The lectern also needed to provide an accessible minimum working height and accommodate the university’s AV equipment without allowing the rack or supporting structure to intrude into the user zone.

Engineering the technology

Beyond just the accessible design, the lectern had to operate as a professional technical platform. The solution was developed around removable rack capacity, low-profile castors and adaptable monitor mounting.

Key design considerations

Obstruction-free wheelchair position with clear approach
and ample leg space.
Reduced-depth, curved user section intended to provide comfortable access to controls from a single seated position.
Placement and redesign of AV/IT housing profiles on the worktop.
Accessible working height balanced with the required
AV rack capacity.
Removable equipment rack to support installation, maintenance
and future changes or upgrades.
Low-profile castors for controlled mobility within teaching rooms.
Paddle operated height adjustment in place of conventional push-button controls.
White or light-grey finishes with a maple work-top and KCL branding to complement existing campus furniture.

From Gemini concept to SHEA

At KCL’s request, the finished product was named SHEA in recognition of a King’s College London AV Solutions employee’s son who was a wheelchair user. SHEA exemplifies the core values behind the project, listening to users, prioritising their needs and creating environments in which they can participate, unimpeded and independently.

The project began with an assessment of whether TOP-TEC’s Gemini Mono platform could be adapted. As the requirements developed, the collaboration moved beyond a simple product modification. Together, KCL and TOP-TEC created a distinctive lectern with its own identity; drafted, engineered, manufactured and delivered as a purpose built solution.

Why the partnership worked

TOP-TEC was appointed because its response demonstrated more than manufacturing capability. The team listened closely to KCL’s requirements and integrated GVAV’s recommended AV equipment, preserved the intent of the disability panel and remained closely engaged with the King’s AV Solutions team throughout as the brief moved from schematic drawings to detailed technical design.

That approach helped resolve the competing demands of inclusive access, equipment integration, serviceability, mobility and appearance. The result was not an off-the-shelf compromise, but a purpose-built solution developed through shared expertise.

A template for future teaching spaces

SHEA was initially conceived for small and medium rooms, with an initial requirement for six units and the potential to become a wider standard across KCL’s five campuses. The design has since prompted discussion around larger versions with additional rack capacity and smaller variants for more compact classrooms, demonstrating how a well-considered bespoke product can evolve into a flexible family of solutions.

Download the full case study here