Liftup A/S

Away from the main castle buildings stands the more recent addition of a gift shop and restaurant. As the restaurant is accessed via steps, it was not possible to provide access for those with impaired mobility or parents with pushchairs. Although this building is relatively new, the rules regarding what can and cannot be changed were very demanding. The customer installed both a FlexStep and fixed stairs. Both stairs have the same design and a divider between the lift and fixed stairs is added.

Nordkraft is an old power station converted into a modern culture centre in Aalborg (Denmark). It goes without saying that the architecture is special as a major part of the previous power station has been maintained and now makes out the rustic framework for culture to prosper. In order to meet the legal requirements for accessibility into public buildings, the builder and Aalborg Community requested the installation of a platform lift. Colour and materials are according the specifications, and Liftup designed a special “outdoor” version as the staircase is situated close to an exit and without insulation.

Some buildings have enough space for a ramp that comply with the slope requirements or a platform lift that can stand next to the staircase – the challenge can be that many accessibility solutions will impair the existing architecture of the building, and most want to preserve the existing aesthetics of the building, despite of the accessibility requirements. The FlexStep, the fixed staircase, and the repossess at the entrance to the pharmacy are built on top of the pharmacy’s original stone staircase, and they are designed with the steps, handrails and repos in identical wood, so the solution is consistent.

The hallways are broad and the traffic is heavy at the stairs at St. Aidan's Primary School in Scotland, UK. To create a coherent and functional solution to meet those needs a FlexStep lifting platform and an identical fixed staircase were put into production. The steps are covered with carpet like the rest of the floors at the school - a small feature that makes the FlexStep an invisible state of the art product. The school needed the broad staircases as well so a fixed staircase was built next to the FlexStep in the exact same design as the FlexStep.

H+ ARCHITECTS managed the reconstruction of the Copenhagen City Court, as two functions were merged both organizationally and physically. Architects from H+ ARCHITECTS always consider accessibility when they renovate older buildings. Space issues and large level differences set the framework for redevelopment and solutions to create accessibility. Jesper Wegener, partner and architect at H+ ARCHITECTS, says about choosing FlexStep: “The construction had to have both a staircase and a lift but there was not room for both. We found a solution that works as both a staircase and a lift.”

In view of the modern style of the store and the high-tech products offered, the installation and the design of the FlexStep were kept in plain colours and materials to support its manifestation. The design is created in special colour (dull black) and the steps are equipped with aluminium chequer plates which offer an industrial look due to the rustic aluminium surface. The special black colour of the construction, the balustrades and the round handrails in stainless steel altogether suggest the requested minimalistic and high-tech look of the FlexStep stairlift.

Instead of an old elevator, it was important to the church that a potential new lift solution was well-fitted into the environment and had as little negative impact as possible on the building’s aesthetic appearance. The church in Söderled’s employees had seen the FlexStep lift and contacted our Swedish distributor. A salesman visited the church and one quotation later, the church ordered a FlexStep. After disassembly of existing staircase and elevator, a FlexStep was installed and led to a very satisfied customer.

Liftup was contacted by the architect responsible for the old historic building Christiansborg Palace, because he was looking for an integrated solution to provide access to all persons, walking and walking-impaired, for one of the main assembly rooms in the Danish Parliament. The wide historic staircase 6 steps down to the assembly room was divided with a FlexStep in the middle to create easy access to wheelchair users and walking impaired. The old floorboard steps were re-used as step inserts and brass handrails were the finishing touch preserving the style and atmosphere in this historic room.

The fact that the FlexStep has been chosen for the unique Eidsvoll House (Eidsvollbygningen) in Norway is further proof that FlexStep can be adadpted to any environment, both when it comes to function and design. The black painted FlexStep with painted steel handrails and rubber mats on the steps looks as if it has been a part of the old building since the Norwegian National Assembly in 1814 wrote the constitution of Norway here. It was also in this building that Prince Christian Frederik was elected King of Norway.

Søren Top suddenly had a blood clot which left him paralyzed the left side and he was dependent on a wheelchair. Søren and his wife immediately became aware of the challenges at home when suddenly sitting in a wheelchair in a two-story house from 1898. The municipality suggested a ramp, which wasn't the optimal solution. Instead of a ramp, a FlexStep was installed as it could be adapted to their beautiful home: “It means a lot to us that we can preserve our house, as it were, despite the big sudden changes in our lives.”