Conservation & Heritage Issue 50 Winter 2025/Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 15
space for a new lift shaft, enabling the installation of a
bespoke Stannah passenger lift - the first in the UK designed
to travel through a vaulted stone ceiling.
preservation of the historic structure. This gap acts as a
protective barrier, preventing any potential mechanical
damage that could be caused by vibrations from the moving
lift.
The lift shaft and car incorporated bespoke glass cladding
where possible, featuring an interlayer of bronze mesh
between the laminated glass panels that enhanced safety and
complemented the colour palette throughout the cathedral.
Stannah Lifts also supplied bespoke lift landing doors from
the same type of glass, providing passengers with illuminated
panoramic views as they ascend and descend the South
Transept.
The first noticeable thing about this particular lift is that it
maintains existing levels of natural light within the cathedral
space, thanks to the use of glass cladding. If the lift shaft
and car had been designed with solid panels it would have
blocked out natural light that illuminates the floor area
below.
Preserving history while enhancing access for engineers at
Big Ben
Introducing step-free access to the Morley Library within
Winchester Cathedral’s South Transept presented significant
challenges due to the site’s historic nature. As the cathedral
needed to remain open throughout the works, noise,
safety and visitor experience had to be carefully managed.
Mechanical excavation was not possible, so the lift pit was
dug all by hand under archaeological supervision, which
revealed eleventh-century foundations and original Norman
construction surfaces. In addition, a piling rig was required
to create piles in the ground structure to house the lift’s
hydraulic ram and this had to be brought to the South
Transept in sections because of its size and then assembled
ready for use.
The restoration of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), one of the
world’s most recognisable landmarks, required exceptional
care and precision for its rich heritage. Built in 1859 and
now a Grade I listed, UNESCO-protected structure, the
tower had endured more than 160 years of weathering,
pollution, wartime damage and heavy use. As part of the
first full restoration in its history, Stannah Lifts was tasked
with introducing lift access into a Victorian tower without
disturbing its historic fabric.
Before the project began, the only route to the top of the
tower was a narrow 334-step spiral staircase. For clock
engineers and maintenance teams, this created major safety
risks and made transporting equipment up to the belfry
extremely difficult.
Given the historic significance and medieval construction
of Winchester Cathedral, the passenger lift shaft structure
had to be self-supporting, while maintaining a gap between
the shaft and the groin vault it passes through, ensuring
Above, Big Ben - Platform lift with door open
Above, Winchester - Credit Nick Cox Architects
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