Tower Lifts
Tower Lifts
Energy-Efficient Scenic Lift Design
Balancing Scenic Lift Experience with BREEAM-Compliant Design
A breathtaking view is a high-value asset, but conventional internal lifts often overlook its potential. Scenic lifts transform vertical travel into a weightless, memorable experience, offering passengers a perspective they won’t forget. When you choose energy-efficient scenic lift design with features like LED technology and intelligent standby modes, you directly improve your property’s overall efficiency.
Tower Lifts delivers tailored scenic lifts that celebrate the London skyline. We specialize in navigating the complexities of sustainable lift design, as evidenced by our successful Kew Gardens installation.
The Mechanics of High-Performance, Sustainable Scenic Design
Our goal, when designing a scenic lift, is to match architectural flair with peak energy performance. A lift that offers a panoramic view must also respect the environment it overlooks.
We achieve this by specifying advanced vertical transport technologies that lower energy consumption without sacrificing the “weightless” aesthetic that’s central to the scenic experience. This dual focus ensures your installation serves as both a centrepiece of your design and a cornerstone of your building’s sustainable infrastructure.
1. Regenerative Drives – Harvesting Energy from Movement
Traditional lift systems squander energy as heat during braking. We eliminate this inefficiency by installing regenerative drives. When a scenic lift travels with a light load up or a heavy load down, the motor acts as a generator, capturing that energy and feeding it back into the building’s electrical grid.
This process turns every panoramic journey into a source of recycled power, directly contributing to BREEAM Ene 01 (Reduction of Energy Use) credits.
2. MRL Technology – Space-Saving Sustainability
We specialise in MRL scenic lifts that prioritise compact, high-efficiency engineering. Removing the machine room reduces the structural burden on your building and eliminates the energy costs associated with cooling a mechanical space.
This approach allows the scenic lift to fit into a range of architectural environments, from modern developments to outdoor sites like Kew Gardens, supporting BREEAM’s Life Cycle Impacts criteria.
3. Intelligent LED & Standby Systems – Efficiency in Detail
Sustainability in scenic lift design extends even to the smallest components. We integrate smart lighting systems that adapt to the ambient natural light coming through the glass walls, reducing artificial lighting demand.
When paired with automated standby modes for the controller and drive, these features ensure the lift remains as efficient as it is exceptional. This careful attention to detail is essential for achieving BREEAM compliance in modern commercial projects.
4. Sustainable Materials – Circularity in Scenic Design
Engineering a scenic experience requires durable, sustainable materials. We specify architectural glass produced in carbon-neutral facilities and recycled metals for the lift’s structural and decorative elements.
These choices offer the high-end finish clients expect while also contributing to BREEAM Mat 03 (Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products).
Modernising Your Existing Scenic Lift
If you already have a scenic lift installation, modernisation brings it into line with contemporary sustainability standards. We can upgrade internal components – such as controllers and drives – while keeping the iconic glass aesthetic intact. This strategy optimises your legacy lift and prevents unnecessary material disposal. In this way you can ensure it remains an efficient, reliable, and stunning feature of your building for decades.
Precision Maintenance – Protecting Performance and Parts
Our scheduled maintenance does more than just prevent breakdowns – it protects your lift’s energy efficiency. A poorly maintained scenic lift works harder, drawing more power and wearing out components prematurely.
We use precision lubrication and alignment techniques to ensure your panoramic lift glides weightlessly, reducing friction and energy draw. Regular, expert intervention ensures that small parts last longer, delaying the need for replacements and supporting your building’s overall sustainability goals.
Sustainable Scenic Lifts – Frequently Asked Questions
Below, are the questions we get asked regularly by architects and developers when integrating high-efficiency scenic lifts into their UK projects.
By transporting occupants through a glass shaft, you maximise the building’s ‘Right to Light’ and provide occupants with a connection to the external environment. This integration of natural daylight and external views is proven to enhance occupant well-being and productivity.
2. Are there specific fire safety regulations for glass scenic lifts in London?
Yes. When designing scenic lifts, particularly in high-occupancy London developments, we ensure all glass panels meet BS EN 81-20/50 standards. For sustainable designs, we use fire-rated, laminated safety glass that provides the necessary thermal insulation without the need for heavy, energy-intensive fire curtains.
Yes. Exterior-mounted scenic lifts are an excellent sustainable solution for building modernisations where internal space is limited. By mounting the lift externally, you avoid invasive internal structural work and the associated carbon cost of demolition. We use weather-proof, thermally efficient glass to ensure the lift doesn’t act as a “thermal bridge,” preserving the building’s internal temperature and reducing overall HVAC energy demand.
Why Choose Tower Lifts?
Integrating a scenic lift into your design requires a foundation of absolute trust and verified expertise. At Tower Lifts, our ISO 9001:2015 certification guarantees consistent quality, while our adherence to ISO 45001 health and safety standards ensures we protect your site and workforce at every stage. Tower Lifts’ reputation as a LEIA member and Constructionline Gold approved supplier demonstrates our commitment to superior engineering.