Background

All Saints Church in Bingley, West Yorkshire, is a Grade II listed parish church with origins predating the Norman Conquest and a present structure developed during the reign of Henry VIII. When the church sought to improve accessibility at its main entrance, the solution needed to respect heritage constraints while delivering reliable, modern functionality.

The challenge

Upgrading access to a listed historic building requires balancing the duty to preserve architectural character with the practical need to accommodate all visitors. Any automation hardware visible on the façade would have been architecturally inappropriate and potentially incompatible with listed building requirements.

The solution

TORMAX supplied and installed two iMotion 1401 underfloor door drives, working in close collaboration with Roy C Smith, who manufactured and fitted the new bespoke glass and timber swing doors. Concealed entirely beneath floor level, the drive units are invisible from inside or outside the building, leaving the historic entrance facade unaltered.

The iMotion 1401 uses microprocessor-controlled, gearless and brushless motor technology, which eliminates the components most susceptible to wear. This results in smooth, quiet operation, obstacle-sensitive safety, and a long service life.

The outcome

The completed entrance provides step-free, independent access for wheelchair users, pushchair users, and elderly visitors, reflecting the church's commitment to being welcoming to all. The automated entrance is fully integrated without any visible mechanical components.

Note on alternative configurations

For projects where underfloor installation is not feasible, TORMAX also offers a lintel-concealed swing door drive, providing comparably discreet automation housed within the door header.