Elevator Design

A Phoenix Modular Elevator can be produced to fit any building need. We construct each elevator with industry-standard, non-proprietary components that can be maintained and serviced by any licensed Elevator Contractor.

1. Cab Size, Capacity, and Layout

For inner dimensions of cab and exterior dimensions of hoistway, see drawings.

For elevators up to 28 feet of travel, append “AC3000” to the model number.
For elevators over 28 feet of travel, append “AC4000” to the model number.
Example: SLFR-AC3000

2. Type of Jacks

All of our elevators can be constructed with either a single in-ground jack or twin holeless jacks. This decision does not affect the sizing of the cab or hoistway.

In-ground vs. Holeless

A single in-ground jack is less expensive than twin holeless jacks but requires more on-site labor to drill the hole and install the jack. Soil conditions also dictate whether or not in-ground is feasible and preferable. We’ll be happy to help provide budget numbers on the alternatives to help you determine which is the better solution for your specific project.

3. Machine Room Placement

Phoenix Modular Elevator offers flexibility in machine room placement, and even offers a modular machine room to simplify the architect’s design process. PME machine rooms can be located remotely to increase design flexibility. This will enable projects where adjacent space is not available for a machine room.

Remote

Place anywhere in the building, on any floor.
Can pipe hydraulics and run electrical to hoistway

Modular

Same footprint as hoistway, for flexibility in placement to the left, right or rear of the hoistway
Ideal for exterior applications.

4. Car & Door Design

Phoenix Modular Elevator offers a variety of off-the-shelf interior options to fit many designs. In addition, PME designers are available to help architects specify custom finishes and fixtures, for one-of-a-kind projects.

Interior
High-pressure plastic laminate over solid wood substrate
Stainless steel
Raised Wood Panels
Anything you can envision

Doors
Baked enamel finish: use as-is or paint on-site to coordinate with building décor
Stainless steel
Brass
Nickel-Silver
Custom

elevator cab design Fixtures
Stainless steel
Bronze
Brass
Custom

5. Exterior Design

If your elevator will be placed on the exterior of a building, or be free-standing and connected via balcony or catwalk, you have the opportunity to make the elevator a design element in your project.

PME elevators are wrapped in drywall, plywood, and building wrap, and once erected can be finished with any typical exterior product such as brick, stucco, or siding. Custom roofs can also be constructed to add a high-end look.

Alternatively, for more value-conscious projects, the elevator may be sheeted with metal siding in a variety of colors and topographies.

See the gallery for a sampling of the ways in which customers have finished their PME elevators.

6. Structural Considerations

Phoenix modular elevators minimize required building modifications for retrofit projects, and simplify the design process for new construction.

Hydraulic elevators are suitable for travel up to 80 feet.

For travel up to 28 feet (33 feet for in-ground jack): Structure is self-supporting, which is ideal for retrofit/renovation projects.
For travel over 28 feet: Multiple hoistways are constructed and are stacked and bolted together on site. Each section of the hoistway must be tied to the building.

Our hoistway structures can be used as a structural element in new or existing construction. Our engineers can work with yours to share structural calculations so that you can determine how to best take advantage of this option for your specific project.