Private-Residence

Elevators

submitted by Katrina Maheu, Savaria

written by Jesse Simmons, Savaria

Architecturally elegant
clear acrylic elevator is
a perfect complement
to home featuring lots
of glass.
Gracefully ascending through the center of a
row home in downtown Chicago, this
breathtaking octagonal elevator blends fine art
with function. The innovative project transforms
the elevator into an architectural element that
integrates seamlessly with the home design. From
glass floors to skylights, glass is a key feature of
this home, and the clear acrylic hoistway and cab
of the Savaria Vuelift emphasize and complement
these elements.

Narrow Space Solution

Integrating an elevator into this narrow home
without compromising the architect’s vision was a
key challenge; with a lot width of just 25 ft. and
inside working width of approximately 23 ft.,
space was at an absolute premium. To make the
elevator accessible to all areas and levels of the
home, the hoistway needed to be centrally
located. A traditional elevator installation would
have taken up much more space and become a
visual barrier, destroying the open-concept plan.
The standalone hoistway and car of the Vuelift
have a minimal footprint, and transfer the load to
the bottom floor. A pit of only 4 in. is required.
The product design also provides freedom and
flexibility of placement within the home without
concern for the structural integrity of older
construction. This allowed the builder to maintain
Continued

74 www.elevatorworld.com • January 2018

The Vuelift octagonal
acrylic private-residence
elevator offers
convenience to the
owners of this
multistory row house in
downtown Chicago.

January 2018 • ELEVATOR WORLD 75

 Perhaps the most
striking feature of the
home is its glass floor The Vuelift’s
and skylights, and standalone space-
these were efficient hoistway
complemented by the requires no more than
clear acrylic hoistway. 4 in. of pit depth.

The car top is

visible from
above.

76 www.elevatorworld.com • January 2018

 an open concept, while including an elevator for
convenience and accessibility.

Modular Installation
Installation in the narrow space was eased thanks
to the unique simplicity of the design. Components
each weigh less than 100 lb. and fit easily through
standard door openings, down narrow hallways and
up stairwells with no special lifting equipment
required. The elevator was simply assembled in
place.

Unique Design
The elevator is also unique in that it does not
have a typical rail wall, tape reader or other
elements that would obstruct the passenger’s view.
This results in panoramic views of the home from
the elevator car. The unit is driven by an energy-
efficient winding-drum drivetrain system using two
aircraft cables for a smooth ride and minimal
maintenance. A rotary encoder – not commonly
used in residential elevators – is used to position the
car.
This particular project used a Vuelift octagonal
acrylic model, configured for three stops and a total
travel of approximately 22.5 ft. All metal
components are powder coated.

One of a Kind
This project is likely the only one of its kind in
the world. Much more than a home elevator, it
transcends convenience to deliver a panoramic ride
that is an experience in itself and is the perfect
complement to the modern home.
This project is a wonderful example of how a
unique result can be achieved without the
complexity and cost of customization. It
demonstrates how accessibility and convenience
can be integrated into a challenging home project
without compromising the vision of the architect,
designer and homeowner.

The winding-
drum motor is
visible in the
upper hoistway. Credits
Developer: MOD Construction
Architect: IPSA Architecture and Design
Installer: Nationwide Lifts of Illinois
Equipment manufacturer: Savaria
Structural engineer: K. Eng Structural Consulting

January 2018 • ELEVATOR WORLD 77