How do you overcome the challenges of an architecturally sensitive building?

Background

Our reputation working in architecturally sensitive buildings led to this enquiry by the Facilities Management company delivering hard services, with whom we have a long and successful working relationship with.

The building is occupied by a Central Government Department on Whitehall and experienced poor reliability from the ageing lifts and long waiting times.

Brief

We were asked to look at options to improve the performance of the lifts, starting with a traffic modelling exercise.

Challenges

Conducting significant replacement works in an architecturally sensitive building alongside considerable security restrictions.

Process

The traffic modelling exercise was initially an observational exercise to determine load requirements and establish people’s behaviour. We supplemented this anecdotal evidence with a software model that allowed us to test out several “what if” scenarios we were anticipating. We concluded from the detailed research that the system would not benefit from increasing the lifts’ rated speed. Our technical survey also noted that the machine orientation required numerous pulleys to divert the ropes which considerably reduces rope life and increases the risk of maintenance issues and disruption.

Our technical feasibility study identified a solution of relocating the machine in the shaft with the control equipment taking residence in the existing machine room. This greatly simplified the rope arrangement and made servicing less intrusive to the building users.

Our next challenge was to establish an installation method that would not only protect the historic internal finishes but also limit disruption to building users. Non-standard, shorter guide rails were specified to enable their movement through the building and special work and storage areas were identified and designated to the project.

Lift car interiors were designed bespoke to complement the common parts décor but still encompassing accessibility features required of modern lifts.

Outcome

We were employed on a turnkey basis to specify, procure and manage the project from conception through to completion, including duties of Principal Designer under Construction Design and Managements Regulations (CDM).

The building now benefits from high quality, modern lifts using open protocol equipment that compliment and pay respects to their building’s history. The occupiers no longer have to endure long waiting times due to lift outage which has had a significantly positive impact on the employee productivity and satisfaction.