Clien: Jigsaw
Architect: AMD
Type of works: supply and installation of a steel- and glass-shafted Maxilift passenger lift.

Following a successful installation in Jigsaw’s Chapel on Kings Road premises, Stannah were once again invited to quote for an exciting new Jigsaw project in The Old Post Office, Bath. It was a tricky site as the main trading floor is on the first floor above the original grand entrance to the Post Office that has a double sweeping Cinderella-style staircase. The feature lift to transport shoppers, including disabled people, needed to be installed in a central position, whilst retaining the uniqueness of the premises.

Project architects AMD worked very closely with Jigsaw in designing the layout of the store ground floor entrance, including the stairway. The lift shaft was originally proposed to be a solid blockwork tower, with narrow windows and render-and-stone cladding to echo the style of the existing building. However, after much deliberation this was replaced with a steel and glass shaft that would allow much more light into the area and maximise the view of the spectacular staircase.

The 8-person Stannah MRC MXL passenger lift is set in a steel structure, clad in 12.8mm toughened glass. The lift car was designed with 350mm glazed windows either side of the polished stainless-steel control panel. On the opposite side wall, a full-height mirror is located to reflect the city-centre view from the windows. Great attention was paid to the finish of the outside of the lift car, in order to ensure the design concept was achieved. The external workings, including the control panels for service engineers on the top of the car were encased in steel cladding and sprayed to the client’s specification lines.

The Stannah Maxilift and decorative stair balustrades are finished in a matching Soft Grey that ensures the lift structure remains sympathetic to its surroundings.

The finished effect is stunning. The lift is surrounded by opulent decor that includes spectacular suspended lighting, part of the first floor concept designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman, www.bannermandesign.com.

References to the origins of the building are cleverly reflected throughout the shopping floor including exclusive ‘penny’ circular rugs in soft colours and wrap-around money prints surrounding counters and display surfaces.

Neil Carter, Project Architect for AMD, said: “At the outset, we were concerned that the insertion of a standard lift system into a bespoke glazed lift shaft might result in a great deal of unattractive, exposed mechanism and difficulties with making the lift system meet up nicely with our framework. However, although there were technical issues to overcome, and refinements which needed to be resolved with Stannah, we are delighted with the finished product, which is extremely neat and very close to our original vision.”