Stannah Piccolo lift was chosen for the Optic Cloak, the 49-metre architectural flue stack of the new Low Carbon District Energy Centre - the largest residential new-build district heating system in Europe.

The Piccolo is supplied in its own enclosure and represents progress – the evolution of lifts from primitive, limited, manual contraptions to sophisticated, flexible feats of electronic engineering. In Optic Cloak, the Piccolo helps welcome people of all mobilities to a facility that demonstrates how district heating operates and how it benefits the wider community.

The Piccolo was specified as it is a low-cost, flexible solution to democratic access in constricted locations.

The Piccolo empowers people of compromised mobility to access the Visitor Centre, an interactive educational suite (to be completed) ranged over the entrance hall and first-floor gallery/ balcony. From bag-laden buggy-pushers to wheelchair-users, the lift carries up to five people (400kg), easily and safely. It also fits where other passenger lifts can’t – a bright star of small space.

A good-looking lift, it complements its monochromatic environment, with a grey vinyl skin plate finish, handrail, silver half-height mirror, black stud flooring, and intercom – just in case help is needed.

Not only does this hydraulic, wall-mounted lift fall under the Machinery Directive, it also ensures that the Centre’s owners meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.