Heritage Accessibility Lift Design | Sesame Access

Key Takeaways

• Sesame Access Systems engineers bespoke heritage accessibility lifts that integrate seamlessly into listed and modern buildings without altering their character.

• Each lift is tailored to meet architectural constraints and international accessibility standards (BS 6440, EN 81-41, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Equality Act 2010).

• Through close collaboration with architects and engineers, Sesame delivers reliable, discreet, and fully compliant inclusive lift systems for challenging environments.

Top Three Innovation Features

1. Vertically Retracting Systems – require minimal excavation and preserve original staircases.

2. Telescopic Wheel Stops – enhance safety in compact or shallow-pit installations.

3. Glass Rising Barriers – blend with heritage interiors for an elegant, transparent finish.

How Do You Make Historic Buildings Accessible Without Compromising Design?

Architects across Europe face a consistent challenge: how to provide disabled access in historic or space-restricted buildings without disrupting architectural integrity.
Sesame Access Systems, established in 1996 near Heathrow UK, offers a proven solution — discreet, engineered wheelchair platform lifts that preserve heritage while delivering modern inclusivity.

These bespoke lifts are custom-designed for every project, ensuring accessibility is achieved invisibly, safely, and in full compliance with regional and international standards.

Designing the Modern Heritage Accessibility Lift

Each heritage accessibility lift combines engineering innovation with respect for original craftsmanship. Rather than imposing a standardised platform, Sesame creates a hidden mechanism beneath or behind existing staircases, maintaining the aesthetic of stone or marble while delivering complete wheelchair access.

Key design priorities include:

• Minimal visual impact and no external lift shaft.

• Compatibility with existing stone, marble, or timber finishes.

• Smooth, quiet operation using advanced hydraulic and mechanical systems.

• Compliance with BS 6440, EN 81-41, and the UK Equality Act accessibility codes.

For conservation officers, this balance of discretion and compliance ensures accessibility improvements are both acceptable and sustainable.

Innovation Engineered for Complex Spaces

Sesame’s R&D team continually refines its lift range to solve problems traditional lifts cannot:

• Shallow-Pit Solutions: New models operate with depths as low as 175 mm, ideal for projects where excavation beneath listed flooring is not possible.

• Vertically Retracting Systems: The staircase lowers vertically, requiring only 200 mm of clearance behind the top step—critical for tight historic entrances.

• Custom Safety Barriers: Telescopic or glass rising guards ensure protection while matching surrounding architecture.

These innovations allow architects to achieve modern accessibility without visual compromise.

Collaboration Across Europe: Standards, Partners, and Compliance

Sesame Access collaborates with architectural practices, accessibility consultants, and regional engineers throughout Europe.
The process typically includes:

1. Free Initial Consultation – review of architectural drawings and feasibility analysis.

2. Joint Engineering Design – ensuring adherence to relevant standards:

   • BS 6440:2011 – Powered lifting platforms for the disabled.

   • EN 81-41:2010 – Safety rules for lifts for persons with impaired mobility.

   • EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

   • UK Equality Act 2010 or local equivalents.

3. Partner Installation and Servicing – local contractors trained by Sesame to manage installation, call-outs, and maintenance.

This cross-border collaboration ensures every inclusive lift system performs reliably and passes local authority inspections.

Durability and Climate Readiness

All Sesame lifts are engineered for long-term use, with many operating successfully for more than 25 years.
Sealed control cabinets protect electronics, while IP-rated components withstand both heavy rain and cleaning cycles. For colder regions (down to −10 °C), optional heating elements and low-freezing-point hydraulic oils prevent ice formation.
Every lift is designed to handle the climate demands of Europe—from northern winters to Mediterranean summers—without performance loss.

Problem-Solving Design Philosophy

Each installation begins with a simple question: What is preventing access?
From that point, Sesame engineers design a bespoke disabled access solution that solves the constraint—be it lack of pit space, irregular stonework, or strict conservation limits.
Where listed building consent is required, Sesame assists architects with technical documentation, precedent case studies, and on-call discussions with local heritage officers to secure approval.

Consultation and Next Steps

Architects or developers can arrange a no-obligation Teams consultation with a Sesame Project Manager to explore lift options, review drawings, and receive indicative pricing.
Book a meeting here

Recommended models for heritage and listed applications include:

• Kensington Stairlift – compact concealed stair design for minimal visual impact.

• Westminster Equality Act Lift – compliant with UK and EU accessibility codes.

• Richmond Rising Platform Lift – versatile shallow-pit configuration ideal for limited excavation projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can these lifts be installed without altering original staircases?
A: Yes. Sesame designs lifts that replicate the existing tread and riser pattern using matching materials sourced from the same quarry or supplier.

Q: What happens in freezing or wet conditions?
A: Lifts can include heaters, drainage channels, and protective bellows to ensure smooth operation in rain or cold climates.

Q: Are Sesame lifts suitable for both private and public buildings?
A: Absolutely. They are ideal for heritage venues, offices, hotels, and residential homes seeking a discreet accessibility upgrade.

Q: How long do they last?
A: With routine servicing, many lifts exceed 25 years of operation, proving both durability and value.

Q: How can I start planning my project?
A: Send your building drawings or photos to Sesame for a free design review or book a Teams Meeting.

Summary

Sesame Access Systems bridges the gap between heritage preservation and modern accessibility.
By combining advanced engineering, collaborative design, and full compliance with international standards, the company delivers wheelchair platform lifts that transform how people experience historic and modern buildings alike.

Each project is a step toward inclusive, barrier-free architecture—proving accessibility and elegance can coexist beautifully.