We recently completed a custom glass elevators project that started out with many unique challenges . We were asked to install a glass elevator within a spiral staircase. The device could not utilize a pit as there was in-floor heating, nor did they want to give up space for a machine room. These requirements alone can create issues due to space and functionality, but when paired with the request of a glass car and hoistway, the challenge was multiplied.
Door open in glass elevator
My first call was to RAM Manufacturing where their engineering team had to determine if we could even fit the device in such a small space. After a bit of deliberation, the design included a pie shaped platform utilizing a traction counterweight drive mechanism. This elevator featured a machine room-less drive and had a low profile car floor so we did not need a pit. In order to preserve space, we incorporated an off-board controller that was located in a room beside the elevator enclosure. These features made it possible for us to maximize the elevator car, and create a functional elevator that can accommodate 2 people with an 800lb capacity.
Now that we knew that we could physically fit the device in the stairway core, we need to address the request of having as much glass in the elevator as possible. We did this at the client’s request in order to maintain an “open view” through the stairway core.
The car was designed to have wood panelling to match home décor on the controller wall, with curved glass surrounding the rest of the car area. The doors were made entirely of glass with a stainless steel trim. To these doors, we incorporated our interlocks for safety. The contractor then fabricated glass panels held together with stainless steel “clips”. These panels served as the elevator hoistway or shaft.
The end result was an unobstructed view where you could look straight through the elevator on the upper floors. We maintained the look of the home without taking up any valuable square footage and avoided a costly addition. All in all, we are very pleased with this project and look forward to many more custom elevators in the future.
For more information on custom elevators please contact Uppercut Elevators and Lifts
