Skip to content
BPindex — The Largest Building Products Directory in the UK

Lifts

Stannah delivers full lift replacement for contemporary public sector building

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah Lifts entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah Lifts website

Endeavour House, in Ipswich, Suffolk, has undergone a significant lift replacement, with the installation of five Stannah lifts designed to improve performance, reliability and overall user experience.

Home to a mix of municipal offices and meeting rooms, the five-storey public building serves as a meeting point for Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council.

With high levels of footfall placing increasing demand on the existing lifts, a full replacement was required to deliver consistent reliability and performance. The new lift solution is designed to meet current usage demands while also ensuring seamless, step-free access throughout the building.

Following a competitive tender process, Stannah Lifts was awarded the contract to deliver the lift replacement project at Endeavour House on behalf of Suffolk City Council, working with Concertus, Design and Property Consultants, and main contractors Dalkia.

The works

Stannah’s comprehensive lift replacement plan included the complete removal of five existing lifts, full refurbishment and preparation of the lift shafts, and the installation of four high-performance passenger lifts and one firefighting lift.

The aim was to provide an energy-efficient solution that complements the building’s modern appearance and ensures the safety of occupants and service engineers when carrying out maintenance work. 

The challenge

A key challenge was carrying out a complete turnkey solution in a live environment. As the building remained fully occupied throughout the works, constant coordination was needed to ensure successful planning and execution. To ensure the building remained safe for occupants, hoarding was installed to segregate work areas.

Once installed, Stannah progressed with the full removal of existing lifts and the installation of scaffolding to facilitate safe access within the lift shafts. Each lift shaft was thoroughly cleaned and prepared before installing bespoke Stannah lifts to ensure a clear foundation for the equipment.

The project spanned over 12 months, but each lift installation involved working to a tight schedule, and to support the needs of a live environment, the project was delivered in a phased approach. This ensured that at least two lifts remained operational at all times to maintain step-free access between floors. 

The solution

Stannah designed two sets of bespoke duplex lift systems, consisting of four passenger MRL (Motor Room Less) traction lifts. The MRL lifts are equipped with gearless variable voltage drives, which offer a smooth and energy-efficient operation and provide reliable performance over time.

These passenger lifts carry up to 13 people and operate at a speed of 1.6m/s to significantly improve passenger flow and reduce waiting times. The duplex design was chosen to enhance service reliability, allowing for one lift to remain operational if the other undergoes maintenance.  

The lift car finishes and wide vision panels were carefully chosen to complement the modern interior design. The incorporation of panoramic glazed panels creates a more open and spacious environment for passengers, allowing natural light to flow through the space while seamlessly integrating with the building’s glazed aesthetic. Grey expo flooring was also chosen due to its durability, low maintenance and consistent fine-grained aesthetic, providing a modern finish that withstands heavy foot traffic.

All lift shafts were designed with LED lighting to improve visibility and safety for lift engineers. Pit and entrance fascias also help to protect the shaft structure and surrounding finishes from damage.

In addition to the passenger lifts, a bespoke simplex firefighting lift in brushed stainless steel was installed to meet stringent safety requirements, while maintaining ease of use for emergency services.

The new firefighting lift complies with EN81-73 standards, which ensure safe shutdown in the event of a fire and includes firefighting controls for enhanced occupant safety. The lift is also equipped with a car preference key switch, allowing it to ignore external landing calls during an emergency and respond solely to commands from firefighters within the lift car.

All five passenger lifts are designed in compliance with EN81:21 standards and incorporate a CTV mechanical package. For better connectivity and to ensure continual operation during power outages, a GSM unit was installed, futureproofing the lifts ready for the digital phone line switchover due by 2027.

Lifts at Endeavour House were handed over with ‘open protocol’, which gives Suffolk County Council complete freedom to choose any maintenance provider for easy part replacement.

The results

The new duplex passenger lifts successfully provide reliable and efficient movement throughout the building, delivering a future-proofed, resilient solution for long-term use. The new firefighting lift better equips the building to handle emergency situations, instilling confidence in the event of emergencies and ensuring safe and quick access for emergency services.

James Gregory, Main Contractor at Dalkia UK, said: “Working in a live environment necessitates strong coordination from all on-site teams to deliver this project successfully and smoothly. Stannah were very cooperative and worked closely with our on-site teams to create the best practical solution, whilst also delivering bespoke lift solutions that blend harmoniously with the building’s aesthetics.”

Gavin Satchell, Project Manager at Stannah, adds: “The combination of the passenger and firefighting lifts provides a practical solution for Suffolk County Council. Working together, the lifts transform the building into a safe, desirable space with step-free access to all floors. We are currently working with Suffolk County Council on a 12-month maintenance plan, ensuring the lifts continue to perform reliably.”

Stannah Lifts is proud to continue supporting Suffolk County Council with ongoing lift maintenance and repair services. With a twelve-month warranty and servicing, including 24/7 emergency callout, Suffolk County Council can be confident that their lifts will remain in great condition, leading to fewer breakdowns, lower running costs and a reliable service overall.

Find out more about Stannah Lifts maintenance and repair services at Visit the Stannah website

Historic Whitby Abbey facilities benefit from lift modernisation

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah Lifts entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah Lifts website

One of England’s most famous historic monasteries, Grade I Whitby Abbey, has invested in a lift modernisation by Stannah to offer reliable step-free access to visitors.

Originally founded in AD 657 and occupied by the Anglian community, Whitby Abbey was later rebuilt as a Benedictine monastery. Today, the 7th-century ruins remain a popular heritage landmark in North Yorkshire, now housing an award-winning visitor centre repurposed from a 17th-century banqueting hall.

Whitby Abbey House Visitor Centre, developed in the early 2000s beside the abbey ruins, includes a souvenir shop, museum and café. The passenger lift is located on the ground floor, providing access to the museum and exhibition area on the first floor.

Due to the age of the existing lift, modernisation work was needed to maintain smooth and reliable operations for visitors who require step-free access.

Whitby Abbey is managed and maintained by English Heritage, who issued a tender for the lift works. Following a rigorous tendering process, Stannah, acting as the lift supplier, worked with Cundall consultants to determine the best approach for this modernisation project.

The challenge

Whitby Abbey attracts over 150,000 visitors each year, so keeping the visitor centre open was important to fulfil the customer experience. The shop’s closure was kept to a minimum to ensure the safe transportation of equipment and initial start of works. This also allowed the on-site team to establish a safety perimeter, prioritising visitor safety. Following this, the shop remained open for the duration of the project.

As this was the only functioning lift in the building, it was important to complete the modernisation as quickly as possible to avoid long disruptions to shop operations and visitors.

The solution

Working collaboratively with Cundall, lift modernisation was proposed in place of full replacement, a recommendation supported by Stannah Lifts to achieve a cost‑effective outcome with minimal impact on day‑to‑day operations.

By upgrading key mechanical and control components, the lift’s reliability, performance and long-term serviceability are improved while shortening installation time and minimising downtime.

The lift modernisation solution included a new Hydroware control panel to improve reliability and lift response times, a hydraulic tank unit for more efficient system operation, and a borehole ram to provide safer and smoother travel.

A new stainless steel car operating panel (COP) and landing push stations were installed to improve passenger usability, accessibility and lift reliability.

The installation of a variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) electronic drive improves ride comfort by delivering smoother acceleration and deceleration, reducing any jerking movements and mechanical wear, while also improving energy efficiency. The shaft lighting was also upgraded to LED to improve visibility for engineers during future maintenance work.

New vinyl flooring was chosen to enhance the interior appearance while providing a durable, hard-wearing, and easy-to-maintain surface suitable for high-traffic use.

The modernisation package covered all major components, offering a practical solution that optimised performance and restored reliability.

Results

The lift modernisation was completed within five weeks. Overall, these modernisation upgrades successfully enhanced the lift’s reliability, operational efficiency, ride comfort, safety and energy performance, while reducing the risk of breakdowns frequently associated with ageing components.

The new stainless steel COP, updated indicators and vinyl car flooring also modernised the appearance of the lift car, providing a more durable, accessible, and user-friendly experience for passengers.

Upgraded lift components, such as the VVVF drive, help to deliver a smoother ride while also reducing operating costs by more efficient motor control and reduced energy consumption.

Ryan Smith, Field Repair Manager at Stannah North & North East England Service Branch in Gateshead, said: “Working within a heritage site required careful planning and consideration, so we worked closely with on-site teams throughout to ensure the lift modernisation was delivered safely and successfully. Through the upgrade of key lift components, we were able to significantly enhance the lift’s reliability, efficiency, and passenger experience, while also helping to reduce ongoing operational costs for our customer.”

Matt Bishop, National Project Manager at English Heritage, adds: “We are pleased with how all the teams involved came together throughout the lift upgrade. Stannah Lifts kept in consistent communication at every stage, particularly around delivery schedules and installation timelines, which helped everyone to stay aligned and manage our expectations. As a result, visitors were able to regain step-free access to upper floors as quickly as possible once the project was completed.”

Visitors can now enjoy reliable transportation from the only lift on site to the museum, where they can explore the heritage of one of the UK’s iconic landmarks through its exhibits and displays.

Lift modernisations are particularly effective for systems experiencing frequent callouts, breakdowns, repeated repairs, high running costs from outdated systems that consume a lot of power and worn finishes. For more information on lift modernisations, visit: https://www.stannahlifts.co.uk

Image credits: Ben Harrison Photography

www.benharrisonphotography.co.uk

Stannah launches Midilift PL2 – a next-generation platform lift

Building Products Index Ltd Lift, Platform Leave a Comment

View the Stannah Lifts entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah Lifts website

Stannah Lifts, a leader in the UK lift sector, has introduced Midilift PL2, a next-generation platform lift designed to deliver enhanced reliability, performance and quality.

The Midilift PL2 is a re-engineered vertical platform lift for public and commercial environments, supporting modern accessibility requirements while providing greater clarity at the specification stage.

This transformed, compact-sized hydraulic platform lift offers greater configuration flexibility for seamless integration in a wide range of projects.

Range at a glance:

  • 18 standard and custom platform sizes to support a wider range of layouts and project requirements
  • A broader choice of door options, including fire-rated, panoramic and vision panel configurations
  • A 360° panoramic glazed shaft available as a defined configuration
  • Capacity of up to 500kg
  • Maximum travel of 12m (five stops)
  • Supports compliance with UK’s Equality Act and Part M of the Building Regulations

Key benefits include:

  • Quieter operation at 40db
  • Space saving footprint for limited spaces where a passenger lift is not practical
  • A more structured and repeatable installation approach, with clearer interfaces between the lift and the surrounding building fabric
  • Better lead times and early technical support
  • Site-specific drawings available for eastly specification and feasibility checks
  • Open protocol parts for easy part replacement
  • Two-year warranty and strong after care support

 

Supported by shorter lead times, the PL2 gives architects a predictable, specification-ready solution for modern project demands.

For more information, visit:  https://hubs.la/Q04ggKj10

Stannah Lifts dumbwaiters enhances food service efficiency at Beverley Holidays

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah Lifts entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah Lifts website

Beverley Holidays completes refurbishment of its restaurant with two dumbwaiters from Stannah Lifts, enhancing efficient operations at the on-site restaurant.

Open all year round, the Beverley Holidays in Devon welcomes guests seeking a fun-filled getaway with on-site entertainment, engaging daytime activities, a tasty range of food and drink options, swimming facilities, a wide-range of amenities, from EV charging points to laundry areas and stunning sea views of the South Devon coastline.

Works

Beverley Holidays has been a valued Stannah customer for two and a half decades, with Stannah Lifts maintaining their 50A model dumbwaiter, which had been in service for 24 years. As part of a recent kitchen refurbishment, Beverley Holidays chose to invest in more modern and reliable dumbwaiter models to improve food service and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Stannah Lifts worked alongside contractors and architects, Gutxi, to install two new dumbwaiters serving the kitchen on the ground floor and the restaurant on the newly extended first floor.

As this was a new installation, a prebuilt enclosure was constructed to house the lift and ensure it could be maintained over time. Once the installation was complete, Stannah returned to site to test, commission and UKCA mark the Microlift dumbwaiters, ensuring their safety for immediate operation.

The goal was to streamline the transit of food from the kitchen to the restaurant and enhance the guest experience, while working closely alongside the construction team and architects to ensure a smooth installation into both existing and new structures.

Challenge

Stannah Lifts attended an initial site visit and a detailed pre-order meeting with the construction team and architects to discuss the installation requirements and anticipated challenges.

One challenge was designing a dumbwaiter solution that would fit within a newly built enclosure attached to the side of the existing clubhouse. After comparing them with the actual built dimensions of the site, the dumbwaiter models originally envisaged for the project were found to be too wide to fit in the available enclosure space. Therefore, an alternative Microlift model with more compact dimensions was selected to ensure compatibility with the enclosure width.

Drainage systems and a mechanical cowling were also obstructing the proposed shaft location and needed to be rerouted and repositioned. The first-floor extension had to accommodate not only the two dumbwaiters but also provide adequate space for ongoing maintenance access. This involved close coordination with the site teams to ensure structural modifications, such as wall opening and shaft dimensions, were correctly executed.

The first-floor extension was revised to include sufficient space not just for the lifts, but for safe and practical access for future maintenance.

Solution

Stannah Lifts proposed the installation of two 50C dumbwaiters, which were better suited to fit the narrow shaft dimensions. These small service lifts are ideal for pubs, clubs and restaurant settings, enabling the efficient and safe movement of items between floors.

With an upgraded capacity of 100kg and reduced headroom of 2800mm, as opposed to the original 100B model specified which had a 3000mm headroom, this kitchen lift solution makes it easy to fit into the space available.

Built with removable stainless-steel shelf and infra-red heat lamps to keep food warm during transportation, the Microlifts are fully compliant with regulations, offering smooth operation rise and fall shutters fitted with safety locks.

The dumbwaiters installed in the restaurant are controlled with fully automatic push buttons at each entrance for ease of use.

Results
The two dumbwaiter service lifts were successfully installed and fully integrated into the extended structure on schedule. These Microlifts now play a vital role in minimising manual handling hazards and enhancing the efficiency of food service between the kitchen and restaurant, enabling quicker and more hygienic food transportation across floors.

Finished in a sleek grey baked enamel, the revised lift models fit precisely within the new shaft, with access points that complement the overall design.

Through close collaboration with the construction team and architects, from the planning phase to project completion, Stannah Lifts provided a bespoke solution that met all specifications and significantly improved the holiday park’s food service operations.

Stannah Lifts is proud to continue supporting Beverley Holidays with ongoing maintenance and repair services for the dumbwaiters. With twelve-month warranty and servicing included, including 24/7 emergency callout, Beverley Holidays can be confident that their dumbwaiter will remain in optimum condition, leading to fewer breakdowns, lower running costs and a reliable service overall.

Pete Allen, Platform Lift Sales Manager from Stannah Lifts Platform and Microlifts Division, said: “This project is a great example of how thoughtful planning and close collaboration can deliver a practical solution that enhance both operational efficiency and user experience. The successful integration of our dumbwaiters has transformed food service at the holiday park, and we’re proud to support their continued performance through our dedicated maintenance service.”

Gary Furneaux, Director from Beverley Holidays said: “The installation of the new dumbwaiters has made a significant difference to our kitchen and restaurant operations. Service is now faster, safer and more efficient, especially during busy periods. The team at Stannah Lifts were great to work with from start to finish, and their continued support through maintenance gives us real peace of mind.”

For more information, visit: www.stannahlifts.co.uk

Case Study: The ‘best small building in London’ gets two Stannah Xtralifts

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah website

With its impressive period design, A-rated energy efficiency and superb location, Suffolk St James has undoubtedly earned its reputation as the ‘best small building in London’.

This architecturally significant five-storey refurbishment was originally built in the 1950s and offers 18,050 sq ft of boutique office space, within easy walking distance of St James’s Square, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.

The vision of architects Stiff + Trevillion has created an impressive CAT A office refurbishment designed in the spirit of net-zero carbon principles with a clear focus on accessibility and occupier wellbeing.

The completed refurbishment now provides exceptional environmental performance with an EPC A-rating and BREEAM ‘Excellent’.

Inclusive design is evident throughout the building with step-free access to all areas provided by two Xtralifts from Stannah.

The challenge

The design brief for Suffolk St James’s focused on a comprehensive refurbishment to create CAT-A offices on the 1st to 4th floors, along with a striking reception on the ground floor. The lower ground space provides studio/gym, bike store, kitchen and a further CAT-A office. There is a large roof terrace on the 5th floor.

The challenge on this project was to replace the existing single 10-person lift and create step-free access to all five floors, including the 2,000 sq ft roof terrace and lower ground floor level.

The existing 750 kg, 10 person lift was installed in 1997, meaning it had older technologies that wouldn’t support the vision for a CAT-A office. The new design also required two lifts with specific functionality to improve accessibility and convenience for users as well as incorporating bespoke finishes. This meant the development of an additional lift shaft. Both the architect and lift consultants were looking for a solution that minimised the amount of building work in creating this additional lift shaft space.

Stannah was provided with a detailed brief that listed the components required and an interior design vision to help in selecting the finishes. The latter were chosen to support the architect’s overall design vision for the building, which required the lobby, car doors and interiors to visually complement other internal elements.

In terms of logistics, being located in central London required careful coordination of deliveries to avoid disruption to nearby businesses and residents.

The solution

Stannah was able to utilise its extensive experience and bespoke capabilities to deliver two 9-person Xtralifts that met the lift consultant’s specification and architect’s design vision. The solution also satisfied the installation requirements of BW Workplace, including Stannah engineers being present during the install.

Stannah proposed two 9-person lifts, rather than two 10-persons, because it better aligned with the constraints of the existing lift shaft space, and in doing so mitigated building works.

The Xtralift, from the Stannah passenger lift core range, is an energy-efficient, high-performance gearless traction lift that is available from 6 to 33 passengers. Capable of travelling up to 45m (potentially up to 16 floors), it is ideally suited to low and medium-rise usage.

The specification of the two Xtralifts from Stannah supplied to Suffolk St James were:

Lift 1
  • 9 person, 6 stops
  • Bespoke mechanical package
  • Lester controller, 1.6m/s
  • Full depth architraves and bronze car landing doors to complement the overall interior design of the building
  • Bespoke timber panels mounted to full height side walls
  • Car lighting with energy saver timer which switches off lights when lift not in use
  • Bespoke control panel in bronze finish
  • Bespoke car interior and floor
  • Dewhurst pushes
  • Selcom doors and door operator
  • Windcrest Autodialler
  • Safety edge Panachrone 2D

​​​Lift 2

  • 9 person, 6 stops, including to the roof terrace
  • Bespoke mechanical package
  • Lester controller, 1.6m/s
  • Full depth architraves and bronze car landing doors to complement the overall interior design of the building
  • Bespoke timber panels mounted to full height side walls
  • Car lighting with energy saver timer which switches off lights when lift not in use
  • Bespoke control panel in bronze finish
  • Bespoke car interior and floor
  • Dewhurst pushes
  • Selcom doors and door operator
  • Windcrest Autodialler
  • Safety edge Panachrone 2D

All Xtralifts from the Stannah core range are supplied with intelligent controls to enable full diagnostics and remote monitoring. A car preference key switch isolates the movement of the car and landing doors to allow easy and safe cleaning by the facilities team at Suffolk St James.

The requirement for energy efficiency was addressed at Suffolk St James because Xtralift achieves an A-rating energy certification in accordance with VDI 4707. This is done by incorporating, as standard, LED lighting, stand-by shutdown mode, signalisation dimming,  gearless and low consumption traction drive as well as an optional regenerative motor.

BW: Workplace Experts carried out the installation at Suffolk St James with guidance and support throughout from the Stannah team. This involved removing the existing lift and co-ordinating building works on the lift shafts.

BW: Workplace Experts said: “When it comes to prestigious projects like Suffolk St James, it is a challenge to balance the overall design with the finer attention to detail. The client and design team were delighted with the approach taken by Stannah in delivering a bespoke energy-saving lift installation. The outcome has certainly lived up to the very high expectations on this project.”

“Considering the bespoke nature of the lifts at Suffolk St James and the way in which a small adaptation on lift capacity avoided unnecessary building works, Greycoat Real Estate, the client, were delighted with the end result.

“Right from the start, we appreciated having Stannah lift experts on site to help us overcome the challenges. They were with us every step of the way through to handover.”

The result

Accessibility was an important aspect of the refurbishment at Suffolk St James: giving every person step-free access to all areas of the building. The refurbishment achieves this whilst meeting the open protocol requirements set by the lift consultants and designers. An open protocol lift system means that customers are not tied to Stannah for maintenance and repair.

It was an achievement in itself to minimise the amount of building works in the lift shaft area, a factor that was critical to meeting the programming and spatial requirements of the architects.

A factor that made this possible was the experience of the Stannah team, who have extensive knowledge of lift installation in new build and refurbishment properties.

The lifts at Suffolk St James will be in use daily, with remote monitoring providing the client with confidence that they will be a low maintenance, hassle free addition to this extra-ordinary office development.

All Stannah lifts are certified according to the Lifts Regulations 2016 (2016 No. 1093), and post-installation servicing at Suffolk St James will be delivered by highly-trained Stannah engineers.

Image credits: BW: Workplace Experts

Light-illuminated Stannah passenger lift inspires visitors at Winchester Cathedral

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah Website

Winchester Cathedral, a place of worship for over 900 years, has been brought up to modern accessibility standards with a light-filled passenger lift from Stannah. The installation now sits comfortably alongside the fine craftsmanship within the extraordinary Grade I Listed building.

This is one of the first passenger lifts to be installed in a medieval cathedral in the UK, paving the way for other heritage buildings to offer step-free access for visitors.

Central to this lift installation was working within the constraints imposed by the Grade I building of exceptional national, architectural and historical importance and with its own legislative requirements. As part of this, the lift had to be an honest 21st century addition to the cathedral.

The present cathedral was begun in 1079 and is one of the largest medieval gothic structures in Europe. It captures the architectural essence of the 11th to 17th centuries and has been a place of worship for over 900 years, having been a religious site for more than 15 centuries.

The cathedral is the final resting place for many, including Saxon royalty, William Rufus and Jane Austen, the novelist.

The £11.5 million invested by the National Lottery Heritage Fund scheme enabled the transformation of Winchester Cathedral’s South Transept into a fully accessible exhibition space rising through three levels.

 

The work

Between 2014 and 2019, Winchester Cathedral underwent an extensive conservation of the existing building materials and other adaptions to improve accessibility.

This included removal of modern elements in the South Transept to form a new exhibition space; improved learning facilities to aid understanding of its medieval heritage; reconfiguration of an existing 17th century staircase to create space for the lift shaft; a new mezzanine floor and staircase; and the installation of a Stannah passenger lift, which is the first in the UK to travel through a vaulted stone ceiling.

The lift shaft and car incorporated bespoke glass cladding where possible, featuring an interlayer of bronze mesh between the laminated glass panels that enhanced safety and complemented the colour palette throughout the cathedral. Stannah also crafted unique lift landing doors from the same type of glass, providing passengers with illuminated panoramic views as they ascend and descend the South Transept.

The thoughtful design complements the cathedral perfectly. The glazed cladding panels have had a powerfully positive effect on how the lift has been perceived and welcomed by visitors to the cathedral.

The challenge

The introduction of a lift to provide step-free access to the Morley Library in the South Transept was especially complex, both in terms of design and installation.

Firstly, being a place of worship meant that the cathedral had to remain open for the duration of the work, requiring a carefully planned approach to health and safety. Noise levels, too, had to be kept within agreed levels during the works to avoid disturbing visitors.

This meant that it was not practical to use mechanical excavating equipment to create the lift pit. This had to be carefully excavated using hand tools, initially by the cathedral archaeologist working alone, and in the final stages by a team working under his supervision.

The excavation revealed the original, 11th century footings of the walls and piers of this part of the cathedral, down to the level of the top of the piles that had been driven into the soft ground at the start of construction in 1079. A surface of flints in mortar 400mm below the present pavement was identified as a temporary working surface created during the construction of the Norman cathedral. Two exploratory boreholes were drilled in order to investigate the strata below the level of the actual lift pit.

In addition, a piling rig was required to create piles in the ground structure to house the lift’s hydraulic ram and this had to be brought to the South Transept in sections because of its size, and then assembled ready for use.
Creating the lift pit and pile allowed for the installation of a robust lift and the Stannah team collaborated with Nick Cox Architects to create a design that met all requirements.

The lift shaft travels through a late 11th century groin vault and this aperture was created by working with historical consultants. The Cathedral acted as principal contractor managing specialist subcontractors.

Given the historic significance and medieval construction of Winchester Cathedral, the passenger lift shaft structure had to be self-supporting, while maintaining a gap between the shaft and the groin vault it passes through ensuring preservation of the historic structure. This gap acts as a protective barrier preventing any potential mechanical damage that could be caused by vibrations from the moving lift.

The result

The installation of a bespoke Stannah passenger lift now provides step-free access to the Morley Library and Triforium in the South Transept, which contains a new exhibition space.

The first thing that strikes observers is that the Stannah passenger lift solution maintains existing levels of natural light within this part of the cathedral. The elegant design does this using glass cladding on the shaft and lift car, meaning that the glass is a physical barrier, rather than an optical one.

If the lift shaft and car had been designed with solid panels it would have blocked out natural light that illuminates the floor area below. In this way, use of glass cladding as part of a 21st century design, is one that would be respected by the original 12th century stonemasons.

When viewed from the ground floor the lift shaft and car are imperceptible to the observer, and approach that is enhanced by the use of bronze surrounds which harmonise with the other palettes in this medieval structure.
Using transparent materials also offers passengers an inspiring view as they ascend and descend through the cathedral, a very clever way of redirecting focus to the cathedral itself.

In 2021 this remarkable project wowed the judges securing four Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards; RIBA South Award, RIBA South Conservation Award, RIBA South Client of the Year Award and RIBA National Award. Prior to this, the project won the prestigious UK Heritage Award that celebrates the best historic sites and museums.

Nick Cox at Nick Cox Architects said: “Projects in historic settings stand apart from other work due to the high level of sensitivity required to respect the existing built fabric and ambience of the space. At Winchester Cathedral we had to deliver a technically complex piece of construction that respected the medieval architecture whilst clearly being a 21st century design. 

“The bespoke service offered by Stannah Major Projects was an integral part of achieving the design solution.   It not only achieved the primary aim of accessibility for all but also provided the aesthetic transparency we needed together with an operating system that preserved the tranquility of the space. It is a centrepiece to the overall scheme.”

Stannah Major Projects Division is a specialist area of the business that works on lifts for technically complex projects such as infrastructure, heritage and other sectors.

Architects and developers working on heritage buildings can contact Stannah’s specialist team for guidance on the different types of passenger lifts available for unique project requirements.

Image credits:

New Step Lift Bespoke fits seamlessly into the range

Building Products Index Ltd Lift, Platform Leave a Comment

View The Platform Lift Company entry on BPindex

Visit The Platform Lift Company website

The Platform Lift Company (PLC) has become a key UK distributor of the Danish based company Guldmann and its unique range of fully customisable and integrated platform lifts.

With this new manufacturer on board, PLC can provide specifiers with an embedded step lift solution that is totally concealed when not in use. The platform lift is built to specification and can be configured according to structural requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The platform lift can be embedded into a flight of steps/stairs and the upper landing, when activated the steps/stairs fold to a flat surface. The platform can also be embedded at the lower level to leave the upper landing undistributed.

Alternatively, the platform lift can be built to either leave the upper landing or lower landing intact. When activated the stairs/steps transform into a lifting platform.

After operation, both models of step lifts can be returned to function as a standard staircase. They remain hidden as they are clad using the same floor finish as the surround area. This function makes the product an ideal solution for architecturally sensitive environments and where space is limited.

Each platform lift is made to specification to fit individual project and building requirements. Travel of the step lift can reach up 12 steps. Automatic roll off protection and safety barriers to ensure both user and non-user safety can be supplied.

With Guldmann as a manufacturer, Sean O’Sullivan, Managing Director of the Platform Lift Company, is excited about the possibilities for more bespoke installations especially within heritage buildings.

“We are frequently approached by architects and contractors who require a seamless access solution due to the sensitivity or aesthetics of a building. Having a step lift product which has different configurations gives us that ‘silver bullet’ that can overcome any type of barrier whether it is structural or architectural.

For more information about the Step Lift Bespoke please contact www.platformliftco.co.uk

A touch of class: Stannah helps modernise historic entertainment venue

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah website

It can be said that every entertainment venue has a sole purpose: to transport their patrons into another world where their cares can be forgotten, if only temporarily. For those venues that wish to transport their guests to a bygone era of glitz and glamour, it can be challenging to strike the right balance between modern conveniences and historical preservation.

Lifts are a regular focus of this challenge in heritage buildings, and Blackpool Winter Gardens is no ordinary building. First opened in 1878, this Grade II Listed 3,000-seater entertainment complex has entertained countless millions throughout the history of the popular Lancashire seaside resort town. Like any other building with more than one level, the requirement to safely and reliably transport people from one floor to another, especially those with limited mobility, is an essential one.

The challenge

One of the lifts at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, located right next to the historic Opera House theatre, had been in desperate need of repair for a long time. Used to transport patrons up to the upper Circle and Balcony seating areas, it is an essential piece of infrastructure to allow step-free access to these sections. The existing OTIS passenger lift dated back to somewhere around the 1950s was only safely able to carry 4 persons or a maximum load of 380 kg, and looked very dated with its plain oak panelling.

The existing lift dated back to the 1950s and in looks did not quite match up to the richness of its surroundings.

Since the lift could not be repaired due to some of its components becoming obsolete, the lift had been long out of service until Stannah was selected to undertake a complete replacement.

“Stannah was the ideal choice for the replacement of our Opera House passenger lift, which had been out of service for over 12 months. Working with Stannah has been so easy, and constant communication was kept from start to finish.”

Philip Jackson, Head of Maintenance, Winter Gardens Blackpool

The client

Winter Gardens became a popular trend in the late 1800s in numerous seaside resorts and spas, and were so called because they offered the possibility of extending the fun and entertainment of the summer season into the cold and darkness of winter. The Winter Gardens entertainment complex in Blackpool includes a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities and has been rebuilt and added to many times over the decades.

The beautiful Art Deco interior of the Blackpool Winter Gardens Opera House, reconstructed in 1939, oozes sophistication and character.
The opulent interior of the Opera House, which seats a total of 3,000 people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Opera House is one of the UK’s largest theatres and continues to attract some of the world’s biggest touring shows and events to Blackpool. The iconic theatre has seen a host of famous stars on its stage since it first opened in 1939, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey.

The result

The project manager from Stannah, Lee Mahoney, worked in close collaboration with the Winter Gardens’ head of maintenance Phil Jackson to design a lift that would complement the iconic architecture and decor of the first and third floors. Stannah also designed the brass plates on the landings to give a glamorous look to the control panel with its retro push buttons.

The new Stannah lift features reflective surfaces to add the perception of depth to the floor space of the lift, as well as touches that reflect the glitz and glamour of the Arts and Crafts Movement, such as brass panels and handles.

Stannah provided a new Xtralift passenger lift, which is much more energy efficient than its predecessor. It offers a capacity of 8 persons or a maximum load of 630 kg.

Although there were some challenges involved in the installation process, such as large heating pipes which had to be removed in the shaft, and having to avoid noisy works during opera and cinema shows on certain days, these issues were worked around with good communication on both sides, and the installation was completed in 8 weeks.

“Stannah has been great to work with from start to finish. They have impressed us so much that I am once again working with them on our replacement program for another two lifts.”

Philip Jackson, Head of Maintenance, Winter Gardens Blackpool

With its 150-year history, Stannah truly understands the importance of heritage, and with their Stannah Promise, also live up to their company values on a daily basis to offer Blackpool Winter Gardens the perfect mix of quality, safety, sustainability, reliability and cost-effectiveness.

CIBES ACQUIRES AMERICAN ELEVATOR OF ATLANTA

Building Products Index Ltd Lift Leave a Comment

View the Cibes entry on BPindex

Visit the Cibes website

Cibes US Holding Inc., acquires the Southeast US’s leading provider of home elevators and accessibility solutions, American Elevator of Atlanta Inc.

american-elevator-new-2350x800-1Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, with a sales office in South Carolina, American Elevator of Atlanta has grown to become one of the main suppliers of home lifts in the Southeast.

“American Elevator was one of our dealers, and we were very impressed by their dedication, professionalism and strong customer focus. I am very happy that American Elevator is joining forces with us to grow our footprint in the United States”, says Lucas Moraes, Managing Director of Cibes Lift US inc.

American Elevator of Atlanta offers a wide range of home elevators, stairlifts, platform lifts and LULA elevators*, as well as installation, maintenance, and modernization services throughout the Southeast US.

“This acquisition will broaden our sales network, increase our geographical presence and strengthen our after sales services throughout the Southeast. We are delighted to welcome American Elevator to the Cibes family” Per Lidström, CEO & President of Cibes Lift Group, continues.

American Elevator of Atlanta was founded in 1997 by James Graff and has about 30 employees. At present, his brother Michael Graff, is President of the company.

“My brother and I have worked very hard to build a strong family business and we are very happy that our company has found the perfect partner to take our business to the next level. I am excited about our future together with Cibes”, Michael Graff, President of American Elevator of Atlanta, concludes.

Cibes Lift US Inc. acquires 100% of American Elevator of Atlanta Inc. The acquisition was effective as of October 5th, 2021.

*Limited Use Limited Application elevators

For more information, please contact: Per Lidström, CEO & President of Cibes Lift Group, +46 26 17 14 00 or visit www.americanelevatoratl.com.

Guidance and advice on changing lift use

Building Products Index Ltd Escalator, Lift Leave a Comment

View the Stannah entry on BPindex

Visit the Stannah website

Modern passenger or cargo elevators, lifts with closed, opened and half closed, metallic cabins doors, floor indicators digits and glossy flooring in empty corridor 3d realistic vector illustration

In critical settings like hospitals as well as warehouses, supermarkets, lifts have provided vital support for the movement of people and goods and continue to do so. But elsewhere as companies have had to close doors temporarily… perhaps a longer time than we all hoped for and it’s impacted these buildings.

LOLER thorough examinations, scheduled lift maintenance visits, inactive lifting equipment; lockdown has impacted the basic operation and functions of a lift right across the UK.

With changing guidelines on lockdown, the need to adapt has continued. For the lift industry and lift owners, it’s meant new health and safety requirements regarding the use of lifting equipment.

That’s why we’ve compiled a series of blogs that follows the latest guidance. From escalator & lift cleaning; lift use during social distancing; FAQs – guidance for lift owners during Covid-19 lockdown; preparing your lift for reopening, we’ve covered most COVID related topics.

  • Advice on Leaving Your Lift Inactive – for safe lift travels, as more people are returning to new work normality, checking your “forgotten” and inactive lifting equipment is crucial.

We’ve also been busy innovating and have a range of solutions to help you effectively revitalise your lifting equipment as well as eliminate the spread of covid-19.

It’s business as usual at Stannah, we’ve updated all our practices and taking extra care, supporting our customers wherever and whenever we’re needed.

So if you need help with a lift, we’re ready, simply get in touch.

1 2