Blog Highlights
Our investigation section researches everything from historical projects like the Johnson Wax Building where Frank Lloyd Wright installed his first elevator, Otis’s Elevator’s role in building the Eiffel Tower for the Paris Exhibition and more.
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Ancient elevators such as Archimedes' typically consisted of a wooden platform or box drawn by hemp ropes through a vertical open shaft and powered by men or animals operating a capstan. These devices were used primarily to lift heavy loads such as water or building materials.
Alex Begin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan loved visiting the downtown J.L. Hudson store in Detroit as a child with his parents. The highlight for him was the over 50 elevators that serviced the 33 levels located on Woodward Avenue. Begin loved watching the elevator operators delivering patrons to their desired floors.
Recently our team was contacted to inspect a 19th century building where the new owner had found a hand-powered (pull-rope) elevator. Completely in tact and fully preserved complete with original rope and pulley, platform and counterweight system along with painted on data tags, it was immediately identified as an Otis-Fensom Elevator from the 1890’s.
Built on the very edge of a cliff overlooking the a 76m (250ft) drop, overlooking the surrounding city, the 611 room 80-metre-tall (260 ft) was the tallest buildings in the entire province of Quebec. To shuttle passengers and their luggage through the 18 storey building monolith, architects installed three gated manually operated elevators in the main lobby. More were added during two major expansions to the hotel, one in 1908–09, and another in 1920–24.
Elevator design is not something many people think of. Even professional architects, urban planners and designers overlook their significance to modern buildings and cities as a whole. Over the past decade our team of vertical transportation specialists has worked to elevate the narrative around these little spaces in a big way.
The Bradbury Building is an architectural landmark located at 304 South Broadway at West 3rd Street in downtown Los Angeles, California. Built in 1893, the five-story office building is best known for its extraordinary skylit atrium of access walkways, stairs and elevators, and their ornate ironwork
Dig in to 2,500 years of vertical living through a storybook, with New York Times archives and NFB of Canada from the biblical Tower of Babel to the tenement buildings of New York. The film is narrated by singer-songwriter Feist.
It is on display in Dineen Building, which is home to the Dineen Coffee shop (@DineenCoffee) in downtown Toronto, Canada.
Experience the magic of the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) elevators by Heatherwick Studio. These custom glass elevators celebrate the historic silos, reinventing the vertical journey. With transparency and interplay of light, they offer captivating views and a revitalized museum visit. Discover how Heatherwick's innovative design creates a transcendent experience, merging art and architecture in a mesmerizing way. Step into the MOCAA elevators and be transported to a world where history and modernity seamlessly intertwine.
Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter 2011 runway show featured vintage elevators as the backdrop, paying homage to the brand's roots in luxury luggage and the grand era of travel. The elevators were 19th century wrought iron birdcage elevators, with an elegant and exclusive atmosphere.
The Richfield Tower is a prime example of a 1920s Art Deco building located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The building, which served as the headquarters for the Richfield Oil Company, is known for its intricate details and opulent design. Recently, archive photos and records were discovered that provide a glimpse into the luxurious design of the building's elevators.
Frank Lloyd Wright's design for Crystal City was a visionary concept for a vertical city, comprising of interconnected skyscrapers and underground spaces. The renderings of this unbuilt project, brought to life by architect David Romero, show a complex of interconnected buildings that would have risen high above the city, connected by a network of elevators and internal highways.
Le Dokhan's, Paris Arc de Triomphe is a luxury hotel located close to the iconic Arc de Triomphe. Guest rooms, restaurant, bar, fitness center and exceptional service are offered but what makes this hotel truly unique is its elevator cab, made from a vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, adding luxury and nostalgia to guest experience. Perfect choice for luxury travelers visiting Paris.
Elevators are an essential component of modern buildings and designing an elevator cab interior involves a combination of functionality, safety, and aesthetics. From defining the purpose of the elevator to choosing materials and colors, lighting, adding safety features, wayfinding, branding, and considering the overall aesthetic. It's important to test and evaluate the design, regular maintenance and attention to details.
Elevator rides at Disney World and Disneyland are a type of theme park attraction that involve passengers riding in an elevator-style vehicle to a specific destination, often with a theme or storyline incorporated into the ride experience. These attractions can range in intensity and thrill level, and may be suitable for riders of all ages or may have height or age restrictions.
Ancient elevators such as Archimedes' typically consisted of a wooden platform or box drawn by hemp ropes through a vertical open shaft and powered by men or animals operating a capstan. These devices were used primarily to lift heavy loads such as water or building materials.
Alex Begin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan loved visiting the downtown J.L. Hudson store in Detroit as a child with his parents. The highlight for him was the over 50 elevators that serviced the 33 levels located on Woodward Avenue. Begin loved watching the elevator operators delivering patrons to their desired floors.
Elegant, modern, pure, simple, clean, sophisticated, timeless white elevator interiors. Here are some amazing ideas for white elevator cab interiors.