It’s probably fair to say that specifying an elevator isn’t something that ranks high on the list of daily activities for most architects. But with an ageing population and medium density trends making multi-storey homes the new normal, it is something specifiers will increasingly need to get comfortable with.
With this in mind, Kiwi-made Powerglide Elevators have developed a Design Support Programme that helps specifiers and builders streamline the design and consent process, as well as avoiding costly delays during construction.
Allan Fullerton, who heads the Specification Team, encourages architects to contact them early, in order to get the most benefit from their expertise and experience.
The current approach to elevator design is often to draw a 1m x 1m box in the plan and relegate it to the ‘later’ file. By the time we get involved, it’s harder for the architect to accommodate the minor design tweaks that could have significantly enhanced the usability and overall lift experience for the homeowner.
Powerglide's A, S and E-Series Elevators accommodate everything from easy pre-designed packages through to fully bespoke designs.
Powerglide is able to provide comprehensive design support because the lift mechanism is its own proprietary design, and the entire process, through design, manufacture, and installation is managed locally, by an in-house team. According to Fullerton, who created the first Powerglide Elevator back in 2003, this gives them a significant advantage when it comes to supporting the specification process.
“It means we know the system intimately and have the flexibility to make changes at any stage. Our Design Support Programme reduces the turnaround time of all aspects of design, engineering, and compliance by automating many of the specification tasks. As an example, we can provide same-day turn-around for PS1 and associated documentation for building consent lodgement.”
The Powerglide information is clear and accurate, based on the experience of over 900 installations, working to the requirements of consenting authorities throughout New Zealand.
Architects contacting Powerglide for technical information and resources will find themselves speaking to an expert in all aspects of lift specification for residential, commercial and medium-density projects.
Even minor design changes recommended by our team can significantly improve the user experience of the final lift.
Stage 1: Early Design Stage