It's all in the detail

Construction work on a heritage development is constrained by the need to respect the original features, finishes and fittings, while at the same time ensuring the upgraded building meets the current standards and regulations.

Installation of lifts is a case in point, and Liftronic, a company with 25 years' experience as a specialist in customised product design, won the contract to upgrade the lifts at the Sydney Town Hall. This included the design, construction and installation of a new lift in the kitchen, upgrading the existing birdcage heritage lift, and replacing an old hydraulic goods lift with a new, modern goods lift.

Modernisation sales engineer Warren Williams says the goods lift provided a major challenge.

"We had to work within strict heritage constraints in addition to dealing with irregular shaft sizes and other engineering inconsistencies," he says.

To resolve these issues, Liftronic's engineering team designed a bespoke product. Engineering adjustments were made to a single door opening to avoid interfering with the heritage staircase.

For the birdcage lift, all the original button panels were kept to meet heritage requirements. The goods lift has a stainless steel interior, with timber panelling on the outside walls that had to be preserved. Throughout the project, Liftronic's construction management team, headed by operations director Kevin Addison, liaised closely with the architects, builders and the Town Hall.

For additional information on creative lift solutions, contact Liftronic, PO Box 75, Botany, NSW 1455, phone (02) 9666 3922, fax (02) 9666 4507. Email: nataliex@liftronic.com.au. Or visit the website: www.liftronic.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas