Edes House

Edes House is a Grade I listed building in the heart of Chichester city centre. The building, completed in 1696, for John Edes has undergone several name changes over the years and was once thought to be originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren however this theory has been proved unlikely. The house was the location of West Sussex County Council offices from 1916 till 1936 before other uses by the council until 1989. After this date the building became a wedding and exhibition venue.

The building has recently undergone a major refurbishment and Access Lifts were asked to tender for the external platform lift works. This would include removal of the existing redundant platform lift and design, supply and install of a new external scissor lift. Access Lifts were successful through the tender process and worked with the client's lift consultant, LECS UK, to specify the new scissor lift.

The specification would be for a high quality scissor platform lift. Features of note include the 90º adjacent entry, bespoke upper landing gate with railing design, automatic openers at each level and powder-coated metalwork in Jet Black - RAL 9005 with brushed stainless steel accents. The lift needed to be of high quality and robust design due to the basement location of the lift as well as proximity to the sea. The lift construction is made out of hot-dipped galvanised steel with brushed stainless steel material found on the landing and platform operating panels.

The existing lift was removed and new lift installed within 4 days. The new lift was installed prior to the busy summer season for weddings at the venue.

Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in London. It's a Grade I listed building with the oldest part of the current palace dating back to 13th century. The land was originally obtained by the archdiocese in around 1200 AD due to its proximity to both the Palace of Westminster and the City of London. The site is located just across the river from the House of Parliament, on the south bank of the River Thames.

The lift is located within the cloisters kitchen area. Originally specified as a full speed passenger lift upon carrying out investigation works the main contractor, Walter Lilly, found that a pit depth for the passenger lift of 1200mm could not be formed. We offered a bespoke goods cabin lift that only required a 300mm pit and 2800mm headroom. This lift also maximises the available shaft space as it can be altered in 5mm increments in width and length.

The lift features a 1270mm x 1900mm car with 1000mm wide 2 panel side opening automatic doors with a single entry arrangement. All surfaces of the lift car and doors are finished in brushed stainless steel due to its use within the kitchen. The lift also features a row of bump rails to prevent damage to the car.

As part of the work package, Access Lifts also installed a small disabled platform lift in the cloisters corridor. The lift raises 410mm with a 1000mm x 1250mm platform due to size restrictions on site.

Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded in 1768 in Pall Mall to offer a school of design for the use of students in the arts. Initially founded with a membership of 34 artists. The Academy moved between locations at Old Somerset House, the new wing at Somerset House and the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square before settling at Burlington House is 1868, 100 years after its inception and remains there till this day. In 1998 the Royal Academy acquired 6 Burlington Gardens, an Italianate building located adjacent to Burlington House. Design development has been ongoing since 2008 in order to bring the two Grade II* buildings together to unlock a free flowing conjoined space expanding the overall gallery and teaching areas for the Academy.

Access Lifts worked with David Chipperfield Architects to specify a Hidden Platform Lift back in Summer 2021 as part of the renovation works bringing together the Royal Academy of Arts and 6 Burlington House. The main contract was won by Knight Harwood who Access Lifts have previously worked with at BAFTA, installing a lift to the main stage. The lift was installed in Spring 2024 and was finished with the original flagstones which were refurbished by the stonemasonry contractor. The lift metalwork was finished in brushed stainless steel to provide a clean finish. The lift features both an on platform control post and wireless remote control landings controls to allow the lift to be used completely independently.

The hidden platform lift is perfect for heritage projects offering discreet access whilst offering great functionality.

listed building

Edes House

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

Lambeth Palace

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

Royal Academy of Arts

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