When it comes to providing high-quality, discreet access solutions in the UK, particularly for complex and sensitive installations, Lyfthaus leads the way as a premier specialist in lightwell lifts. As Britain’s largest designers and manufacturers of these bespoke access systems, we excel at creating super discreet solutions that blend seamlessly into historic and heritage buildings, from Grade I and Grade II listed properties to other sites of special architectural or historical importance.
Why Lightwell Lifts are Ideal for Heritage Buildings
Lightwell lifts are a highly specialised category of platform lifts uniquely engineered to utilize the existing lightwell or vault space—the small, usually paved area outside a basement level, typically found in Georgian or Victorian townhouses. This innovative placement is critical for heritage lifts because:
- Architectural Preservation: Installing a lift within a lightwell means the interior structure of the building—often featuring original wood panelling, staircases, or plasterwork—remains untouched and preserved, satisfying the strict requirements of heritage bodies.
- Discreet Access: By integrating the lift platform into the pavement or the base of the lightwell, it becomes virtually invisible when not in use. The top surface of the lift can be finished with materials like stone, paving slabs, or steel to match the surrounding external environment, offering truly discreet access.
- Space Efficiency: It provides essential access to the basement level without sacrificing valuable interior square footage, which is often at a premium in older, city-based properties.
Lyfthaus: The Design and Supply of Bespoke Lightwell Lifts
Lyfthaus specialises in complex, custom-engineered lightwell lifts for both disabled access and goods transportation in challenging environments.
Design Ethos: Blending Functionality with History
Our design ethos is simple and unwavering: make modern accessibility effortless and compliant, while absolutely preserving the integrity of the building’s architectural character. We achieve this by focusing on meticulous detail:
- Custom Finishes: The visible elements, such as the barrier or the platform surface, are customised to perfectly match the surrounding stone, paving, or railings of the property.
- Minimal Intrusion: Our engineering solutions require minimal intrusive building work, especially concerning the listed fabric of the building, which is a major concern for owners of listed buildings.
- Tailored Controls: The control systems are integrated discreetly into the existing structure, maintaining the building’s historic aesthetic.
A Prime Example of Discreet Access
A standout example of our capacity for bespoke lightwell lifts can be found on London’s prestigious Harley Street. This installation required a sophisticated lift solution to connect three separate levels: the basement, the street pavement level, and the main entrance level.
The project involved thoughtful design details and expert craftsmanship:
- Balustrade Adaptation: We designed specific balustrade adaptations to seamlessly frame the lift entrance.
- Authenticity: The access gate mechanism was engineered to remain as close as possible to the building’s original aesthetic and operation, ensuring the lift maintained the historic charm while providing modern functionality and compliant disabled access.
Working with the Lift Trade
Lyfthaus lightwell lifts are primarily supplied through the professional lift trade, collaborating with installation and maintenance partners across the UK to deliver the highest standard of service and technical execution. This allows us to focus our expertise on the complex design and manufacturing of truly bespoke, high-quality heritage lifts.
Achieving Compliance and Elegance
With Lyfthaus, owners, developers, and architects working on heritage buildings can achieve the perfect balance of modern accessibility requirements (in line with the Equality Act 2010) and historic elegance. Our lightwell lifts prove that essential modern convenience does not have to compromise architectural beauty or the historical value of your property.