Culver Firemen’s Memorial Update

by

For those of you that followed my posts on the Firemen’s Memorial here and here, I hope you liked the design I suggested.  (See the picture to the right.)  Unfortunately, I have to report that the firemen have apparently chosen to go a different direction.  At least I assume that’s what’s happening at the northeast corner of Lake Shore Drive and Slate Street…  I found out about this the same way you did, i.e. I didn’t know they were going a different route until I saw it under construction.

I wish them the best as always, but it’s unfortunate they have chosen to build a less than permanent structure skinned with faux cut stone rather than following the guidance of the Culver Community Charrette as I suggested.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and time will tell as to whether this becomes the cherished landmark I intended with my design.

Tube Elevator

by
PVE52 Vacuum Elevator

I think this elevator has a lot of potential due to its small footprint, but I’m a little disconcerted by the similarity to the drive-up window tubes at a bank.  Ha!  It appears to only go up and down and not travel horizontally across the ceiling, but then you never know!

This is a vacuum lift from Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators, LLC.  It is a self-supporting structure with a footprint of only less than 53″.  This still provides an internal cab diameter of 43″.  It can rise up to 35′ and have up to 4 stops.  Door openings can be arranged in line or at 180 degrees.  It requires no mechanical room and no added headroom.

A standard lift requires a constructed shaft with an interior dimension as large the exterior dimensions of this one.  That could be an advantage in the residential applications that this is designed to accommodate. 

Often we use stair climbing lifts in residential applications.  This is fine for homes with wide stairs and for users that are still ambulatory.  Unfortunately that option doesn’t work well for someone who is wheelchair bound.  There is no way for the rider to move the chair from floor to floor.

The Pneumatic Elevator is a aesthetic and life style choice.  The cost is similar or greater than a standard cab style chairlift elevator.  it would be something to consider in the right application, but it is designed to be a feature and not something hidden or disguised as is often the goal in home elevator installations.