Inclined Platform Lift in Grade II Listed Waterworks

We were approached by Blackbottle Ltd, a building contractor, as they were looking to install a number of lifts at a site in Hampton. Blackbottle is responsible for the renovation and refurbishment of a Grade II listed Victorian waterworks located on the banks of the River Thames in Hampton. They are in the process of building several scientific research laboratories as well as premium office space for small, scientific-based businesses within the waterworks. The first lift that Blackbottle were looking to install was an inclined platform lift in the "Boilerhouse." We are specialists in the installation of inclined platform lifts in listed buildings and have fitted a number around the country therefore we know that getting the right product and style is paramount.

We designed and installed an inclined platform lift with a platform measuring 800m x 1200mm and a load capacity of 300kg with the lift travelling 1500mm up 5 steps. The large platform space allows for both electric-powered wheelchairs as well as smaller manual wheelchairs for visitors and workers of the businesses within the building. 

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2018

To see projects similar to Morelands Riverdale click on the following links:

National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn Road | Brunel House | Seven Dials Warehouse | Venture House | Southwark Council | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard

Inclined Platform Lift in the Boilerhouse at Morelands Riverdale
Wheelchair Platform Lift for Blackbottle Ltd
Inclined Platform Lift in Grade II Listed Waterworks
Inclined Platform Lift in Grade II Listed Office Building
Inclined Platform Lifts in Commercial Buildings

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Glass Lift for Offices at Meriden Hall

We were approached by Hasker Architects who were designing a new glass office building attached to the Grade II listed Meriden Hall. E Manton were the principal contractors running the construction of the new build - they are one of the leading building contractors within the Midlands and take on projects in both the private and public sectors. Hasker Architects are an architectural practice based in Solihull with projects nationwide, their projects vary from one-off houses to multimillion pound industrial projects. For this particular project, the architect wanted a lift for offices which were spread across the two floors in the newly constructed building. The lift was to be finished in pinned glass as to match the building's external facade.

We installed an enclosed platform lift within its own structure in the stairwell leading up to 1st floor. The lift's cabin measured 1400mm x 1100mm with the total travel distance between the floors measuring 4 metres. The safe working load for this lift is 400kg which equals 5 people. The lift's structure was finished in RAL colour 7015 with pinned glass on all four sides and two points of entry from the same side. The lift was fitted with double automatic glass doors on both floors. Tiles were fitted on both the lift platform and in the lift shaft under the lift, these aligned with the existing tiled flooring on both floors. We were also asked to design and install a custom made steel handrail to match the existing handrail on the other side of the stairs. Working with a local metal fabricator we created a steel handrail which was fitted through the panes of glass onto the lift's steel structure to complete an impressive look.

Location: West Midlands

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2017

To see projects similar to Meriden Hall click on the following links:

The Base at Greenham | British Library | New Forest Ice Cream | Paternoster SquareBranksome Park | Powys | Whitecliff | Bosham

Glass lift at Pertemps' head office at Meriden Hall
The lift features a freestanding structure with pinned glass
The lift features low pit and headroom making it perfect for new and existing developments
The glass cabin lift features automatic sliding doors
Glass Lift with Custom Made Handrail at Meriden Hall
The lift features a custom made handrail which is fixed through the glass onto the lift's steel frame
Glass Lift at Meriden Hall Finished with Pinned Glass
The external facade of the new office block at Meriden Hall

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

24 Chiswell Street

We were approached by Como part of the Mace Group as they were undertaking major refurbishment of Cat A offices at 24 Chiswell Street in Central London. The whole ground floor was being lowered by 970mm to the street level outside the building. This would make the building accessible from the street however it would in turn create accessibility issues further into the building. The specific challenge of this project was that there was very little space to create an accessible route to these offices. There was no room for a conventional disabled platform lift let alone a ramp. The only space available for a lift would fit was the existing stairwell which leads to one of ground floor offices.

We installed a specialist platform lift that takes the appearance of a set of steps. As you can see in the below photos the whole stairwell descends flat with the lower floor level. The user then gets onto the lift and ascends to the upper level. The metal barrier then lowers into the system and the user can travel off of the lift. The specialist platform lift is equipped with key fob radio controls so that the lift can be operated by a member of staff at the front desk or the user themselves. When not in use the lift is a symmetrical copy of the stairwell opposite complete with the same tiles as the rest of the building’s entrance.

This specialist platform lift is a great alternative when space is at a premium and for existing stairwells where designers and contractors are finding it difficult to make space. The lift’s steps can be finished with existing materials such as the tiles used in this project. The lift at 24 Chiswell Street  blends into its surroundings seamlessly and without previous knowledge it is difficult to realise the lift is there.

Location: Central London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2016

To see projects similar to 24 Chiswell Street click on the following links:

National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn RoadSeven Dials Warehouse | Venture House | Southwark Council | Elm Yard | Morelands RiversideBrunel House

The entrance of 24 Chiswell Street
Main reception area of 24 Chiswell Street
Stairwell at 24 Chiswell Street
Steps descending at 24 Chiswell Street
Lift fully descended at 24 Chiswell Street

 

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65, email us or click here to be taken to our hidden lifts page

Venture House, Reading

GPAD, the London based architecture firm, approached Access Lifts because they wanted to install disabled access into the main entrance of a commercial office block they had recently designed in Reading. Venture House is a former print works building located in the heart of Reading opposite the train station. As with many former industrial buildings, Venture House was being renovated into office space. The end result would be 6 floors of Cat A offices with an industrial aesthetic throughout to compliment the building's history.

GPAD wanted a platform lift that would suit the modern interior of this iconic building. We designed and installed a platform lift with DDA compliant platform dimensions of 1100mm x 1400mm. This allows both a wheelchair user and a carer to use the lift together. The lift travels a distance of 1.2 metres between the floor levels and provides disabled access at the main entrance of the building. The lift was finished in black painted steel to match the surrounding balustrade with a mesh door and side panels designed for the lift car and a glass door chosen for the upper level.

The lift was installed within 3 days and a tray with depth of 22mm was left on the platform so that the building contractors could finish the tiles on the side. The tiles used on the lift matched the rest of the flooring so there was a seamless transition from landing to platform.

Location: Berkshire

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2017

To see projects similar to Venture House click on the following links:

Brunel House | National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn RoadSeven Dials WarehouseSouthwark Council | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard

Open platform lift at Venture House in Reading
Platform lift with specialist black mesh
Specialist platform lift in the lobby area of Venture House

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

British Library

We were approached by the architect, De Matos Ryan, to measure for a disabled access lift in the British Library in Central London. The British Library is located next to St Pancras Station on Euston Road and contains copies of every book published in the UK as well as being the largest library in the world. The building it is situated in is less than 50 years old however it is a Grade I listed building which can make the construction of a lift very difficult. The client needed disabled access across 3 floors for library visitors as well as private functions that take place on the 2nd floor. The lift’s overall travel would be 5.8m.

The disabled access lift needed to cover 3 floors and have adjacent doors on both 1st and 2nd floors as well as being perfectly aligned between the 2 steel beams supporting the roof. One of the initial challenges we faced was that for a lift of this size, a conventional lift would require a 1500mm pit below the lower floor level, however due to the small distance between the floor level and the ceiling of the floor below the maximum pit we were able to have was 130mm. In addition, a conventional lift would need 3500mm metres above the upper floor level however we had a maximum height of 2350mm as the ceiling could not be taking off or adjusted for the lift.

The lift structure also needed to be able to support two landing balconies weighing 500kg each. We had 2 sets of automatic power car doors adjacent to ground floor entry onto the balconies of 1st and 2nd floors. The architect wanted the to maximise the light that enters the space so chose a white structure with pinned glass on the outside of the structure. The finish makes the most of the light pouring into the building and makes the whole experience of using the lift feel less claustrophobic. The placement and attachment of the glass proved challenging because there were no points that a hoist could fix to therefore the glass was moved and positioned by hand. Even though this took longer than expected the finish of the lift looks great.

The lift now supplies disabled access for library users and is an aesthetically pleasing addition to the Grade I listed building.

Location: Central London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2017

To see similar projects to The British Library click on the following links:

The Wool House | National Theatre | York Theatre Royal | The Base at Greenham | Meriden Hall |  Branksome Park | Powys | Whitecliff | Bosham

Glass Lift at the British Library - First Floor
Glass Lift at the British Library - Ground Floor
3 Floor Glass Lift in the British Library
Glass lift shaft and lift at the British Library
3 floor glass lift at the British Library
The lift at the British Library linking to the top floor restaurant and private function rooms

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Outdoor Inclined Platform Lift in Dartford, Kent

We were approached by a private client in Dartford, Kent who was looking to modify the existing disabled access route into his office. He wanted to replace the existing old rickety ramp (see below) which was difficult to manoeuvre on and travel up due to its steep angle with an easier system. With this in mind, we discussed the different options available to the client and we decided the best option moving forward was to install an outdoor inclined platform lift. The lift would have to be able to take the load of his electric-powered wheelchair as well as any wheelchairs used by any visitors to the different offices and businesses in the building. In addition to the lift we would fit a new set of wooden steps so that able-bodied people would still be able to use this route as a point of access.

We designed and installed an outdoor inclined platform lift with a platform measuring 800mm x 1250mm and a load capacity of up to 300kg. The lift travels a total distance of 1500mm. The large platform space allows for both the client's electric-powered wheelchair as well as smaller manual wheelchairs of visitors and workers of the other businesses within the building. Our engineers also fitted a new set of wooden steps so that able-bodied members of staff would also be able to use this access route. The outdoor inclined platform lift was finished in stainless steel so that it's resistant to all weather conditions.

Location: Kent

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2018

To see projects similar to this outdoor inclined platform lift in Dartford click on the following links:

Morelands Riverdale | Poole | Parkstone | Dartmouth | Kingswear | Southwark Council | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard

Outdoor Inclined Platform Lift
Folded Outdoor Inclined Platform Lift
Inclined Platform Lift Replacing An Old Wooden Ramp
Old Wooden Ramp
New Inclined platform lift and wooden steps

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Platform Lift for Commercial Offices in Southwark

We were approached by Southwark Council because they needed to provide disabled access to their Lifeways office on Southwark Bridge Road, SE1. As the name suggests they are close to the river therefore right in the heart of London. Similar to many other commercial offices in the city, space is at a premium and it can be difficult to fit any type of disabled access in existing properties. After taking measurements of the area where a lift could be fitted, we came up with a drawing and submitted it to the council, who then ordered the lift.

Our engineers installed a lift with platform dimensions of 1519mm x 1184mm. The lift had to keep to these very specific measurements because the building has a steel shutter that has to completely shut to stop the public from entering the building outside of office opening hours. The platform lift has a total travel distance of 780mm to the ground floor level. The lift was finished in stainless steel so that it would be able to withstand the day-to-day footfall of a busy commercial office in London as well as dirt and rainwater coming form the street. The side panels as well as the car and landing doors were finished in glass.

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2015

 

To see projects similar to Lifeways for Southwark Council click on the following links:

Brunel House | National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn RoadSeven Dials Warehouse | Venture House | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard

Platform Lift at Commercial Offices in Southwark
Disabled Platform Lift for Southwark Council in Central London
Platform Lift in the Main Entrance of Southwark Council's Lifeways Office

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Telefonica Digital, Piccadilly

We were approached by Overbury because they needed to install a wheelchair platform lift during the fit out of the new head office of Telefonica Digital in Piccadilly. Overbury were responsible for redesigning and redeveloping the office space totalling 50,000 sq ft offering new and improved workspaces as well as meeting rooms and an inverted cone "brand pod."

During the fit out, Overbury needed to fit a lift to allow access form 9th floor elevators to the staff meeting areas as well as the project workspace. The client wanted a lift that would match the office's new design and blend into the surrounding aesthetics with the fit out being very light with large open spaces. The designer decided to choose a white wheelchair platform lift with glass panels on the lift car itself so that the lift's style and finish matched that of the rest of the office. The platform of the lift measures 1400mm x 1100mm and has a total travel distance of 1370mm across 6 stairs. The wheelchair platform lift is capable of taking a load of up to 410kg, which means it can be used by both electric-powered buggy users and regular wheelchair users. The lift provides access from the elevators on 9th floor to the staff meeting areas as well as the project space and provides vital access for any disabled visitors.

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2011

To see projects similar to Telefonica Digital click on the following links:

Brunel House | National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn RoadSeven Dials Warehouse | Venture House | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard | Southwark Council

Platform Lift in the head office of Telefonica Digital
Wheelchair Lift on 9th Floor of the Telefonica Digital office
Disabled Access Lift in Telefonica's Head Office

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Seven Dials Warehouse

In conjunction with our previous project at Venture House in Reading, the architectural firm, GPAD asked us to design and install a similar lift during the refurbishment of Cat A offices at the Seven Dials Warehouse. Seven Dials is a commercial area a stone's throw away from the West End's Shaftesbury Avenue and the shopping district of Neal's Yard. It sits between Covent Garden and Soho and is named after the 7 roads that join together at its centre.

Having previously worked with GPAD on their Venture House project, we knew that they wanted a similar style and finish for this lift. Our engineers fitted the lift in the main entrance during GPAD's renovation of the building into commercial offices. The lift has platform dimensions of 900mm x 1400mm and travels a total distance of 1250mm. This specialist platform lift works using a scissor system therefore needs a pit below the floor level. In this particular project we had a pit of 250mm. We set the platform height at 15mm below the floor level so that the client could fit their tiles to the platform to match the lobby's existing stone flooring. Specially made Cadisch mesh panels were fitted to the sides and gates of the lift to match the building's style as well as the architect's vision. We finished the platform lift in jet black (RAL colour 9005) to give a modern but industrial look. Our engineers installed the lift within 4 days so it was ready for the building's official opening.

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2017

To see projects similar to Seven Dials Warehouse click on the following links:

Brunel House | National Army Museum | 200 Gray's Inn RoadVenture House | Southwark Council | 24 Chiswell Street | Elm Yard

Platform lift in the main reception of Seven Dials Warehouse
Disabled access lift at 1st floor at Seven Dials Warehouse
Platform Lift at Seven Dials Warehouse, Earlham Street

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us

Goods Lift at Commercial Office in the City of London

Access Lifts was approached by ISG because they needed a lift installed during their refit of Dixon House, a large commercial office building on Fenchurch Street  in the City of London. ISG needed a lift that could be used as an alternative disabled access lift but would predominantly be used for moving heavy goods such as large refuse bins. They needed a lift that could carry over 2000kg of goods across the 2 floor levels. As with many buildings in the City, space at Dixon House is at a premium and so the goods lift had to be made with a specially designed platform to fit the abnormal space. The goods lift had to be be made into a right angled trapezium shape to fit the space of the service entrance of the building. 

The goods lift has platform dimensions of 4050mm x 1500mm and travels a total distance of 1750mm. The lift had to have a 550mm pit below the finished floor level so that the lift's scissor mechanism would fit and the platform would be at the same height as the finished floor level. The lift has handrails on one side with a stainless steel sliding gate so that access is provided even when the lift isn't in use. The goods lift's was finished with a 50mm x 6mm galvanised steel edge so that the client's concrete flooring could be laid onto the platform to match the surrounding floor.

Location: London

Status: Complete

Year Completed: 2017

To see projects similar to Dixon House click on the following links:

 
Heavy Goods Lift at Dixon House
Commercial Goods Lift at Dixon House, Fenchurch Street

For more information about lifts like the one above call us on 0800 65 252 65 or email us