New-age healthcare facilities have unique needs, and must, therefore, address many specific challenges related to manufacturing equipment, systems, and machinery. TKE’s new construction project team integrated custom cab design, engineering, and manufacturing to produce 24 custom elevator cabins for the AbilityLab facility.
The project started in 2012, when best-cost solutions, based on preliminary needs and designs, were sought out from qualified custom cab manufacturers. After careful examination of past project results and industry reputation, the project management and design teams chose to move forward with G&R. The project involved destination dispatch systems, predictive technologies, and custom cabins for various parts of the building: Sky Lobby, Visitor, Staff & Transport, and Medical Observation.
Working with Gensler and HGA Architecture, the elevator companies priced 33 cab designs as the teams demonstrated their design experience. According to G&R’s Sales Director, John Omorean:
“Right from the start, the TKE team was very focused on providing solutions that met the needs of this new-age medical facility in its systems, machinery, and service. Our team was attentive to their needs—we were right beside them every step of the way.”
In March 2015 the design team visited G&R’s Minnesota facility, where one elevator cab mock-up was produced. It included all the necessary components—cab shell, wall panels, handrails, car-operating panels (without button illumination), ceiling, angled rear wall panel with floor indicator, sill, transom, and lighting.
At first glance, you’ll notice that the centerpiece ceiling extends down the rear wall and is framed in block-style lighting down to the floor. The ceiling and rear walls are set in binder angles and are comprised of Avonite® glass and stainless steel bar trim. Pieces of bar trim are installed at 25-inch intervals and include 1/32” – 1/16” tolerances to accommodate expansion and contraction of panel materials. Sidewall panels are faced with stainless steel in two different finishes, #4 satin, and Diamond. Friezes, recessed bases, and transoms are also in stainless steel #4 (satin finish) while sills are nickel silver.
RIC – Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
24 Custom Elevator Cabs
Sky Lobby, Visitor, Staff/Logistics, Medical Observation (MOB)
Materials: The rear wall panels and lower ceilings are faced with Avonite® safety glass and are framed in recessed LED lights. Stainless Steel (#4 satin) bar trim placed at 25-inch intervals encourages eye movement toward the back of the cab where the floor indicator and a convex mirror are located. The sidewall panels are faced with Avonite (pictured) or patterned Stainless Steel (Diamond finish) and lie beneath Round Stainless Steel handrails (#4 satin). Stainless Steel (#4 satin) reveals and bases conceal vents and cab shell walls. Although not visible in our photos, each ceiling is equipped with an emergency drop-down exit.
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| Materials & Components: | Glass, Exotic Light Feature(s)/Fixture(s), Glass Ceiling, Inlaid Accent, Light Diffuser(s), Patterned Stainless Steel, Perimeter Lighting, Round Tube Handrail(s), Safety Glass, Stainless Steel |
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