Book a meeting

Hidden Lift Design Options for Tight Heritage Portico Entrances

Hidden Lift Design for Tight Heritage Porticos

Key Takeaways

  • Heritage porticos often lack space for compliant step-free access, especially when architects must maintain original features for planning approval.

  • Hidden lift systems such as the Buckingham Lift, Wellington Lift, and Westminster Lift provide bespoke solutions for restricted entrances.

  • Seated-user-only lifts reduce pit depth, cost, and visual impact, a major advantage for sensitive sites.

  • Architects can use retracting stair technology to achieve Equality Act compliance without altering the appearance of historic steps.

  • Planning, fire officer input, pit depth, and structural interfaces must be assessed early to select the correct model.

Introduction

Creating an accessible entrance within a heritage portico is one of the most technically challenging scenarios an architect can face. The combination of limited landing space, fixed historic staircases, shallow pit zones, and conservation constraints makes it difficult to achieve full Equality Act compliance. This article outlines practical hidden lift solutions for tight heritage portico entrances and explains how architects can balance planning risk, engineering feasibility, and accessibility outcomes.

This discussion is based on a real enquiry where a design team asked how to introduce a hidden lift within a shallow 960 mm top landing and a 1600 mm wide staircase, with a cellar space directly beneath. The challenge was to deliver step-free access without altering the character of the historic façade. For wider regulatory context, see our article on the Equality Act and DDA requirements for lift design and our overview on how inclusive design empowers wheelchair users.

What makes heritage portico entrances so difficult to modify?

Heritage porticos typically suffer from a combination of constraints:

  • Narrow stair widths (e.g., 1600 mm total width including handrails)

  • Shallow top landings (e.g., 960 mm deep rather than the 1400 mm ideally required)

  • Doors situated at or just below lower landing level

  • Lightwells or storage rooms directly below the staircase

  • Conservation officers requiring the visual appearance of the stairs to remain unchanged

Standard platform lifts rarely fit these geometries. Hidden retracting stair systems, such as the Buckingham Lift and Wellington Lift, provide a bespoke mechanism designed specifically for heritage situations.

Could a conventional platform lift be installed in the adjacent lightwell?

A traditional platform lift was initially considered for the side lightwell. However, several issues emerged during the design discussion:

  • Landing width at the door was too shallow for turning manoeuvres.

  • Planning officers previously rejected extensions into the pavement.

  • The height difference risked exceeding 3 metres, which would trigger EN 81-41 shaft lift requirements.

  • The existing door beneath the portico conflicted with pit depth requirements.

Although a platform lift can be integrated into some lightwells, the geometry in this case made it impractical.

Using the staircase as the lift itself: the strongest solution

Hidden retracting stair lifts avoid visible changes to the façade and provide a clean planning narrative. Three Sesame models were evaluated.

Buckingham Lift (Vertical Retracting Stairs)

Buckingham Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/buckingham-listed-building-lift

A vertical retracting stair system where every tread drops into a pit to reveal a platform lift. Key specifications include:

  • Platform size: typically 1100 mm x 1400 mm

  • Load capacity: 350 kg

  • Minimum pit depth required: approx. 1100–1200 mm

  • Suitable rise range: 0 mm to 999 mm (model dependent)

Advantages for this enquiry:

  • Preserves the original staircase appearance

  • Works well as a seated-user-only lift

  • Allows installation in the centre of the stair width

  • Reduces planning complexity due to minimal external change

This was the strongest candidate based on planning constraints and the limited landing depth.

Wellington Lift (Horizontal Retracting Mechanism)

Wellington Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/wellington-lift

This model retracts treads horizontally into a concealed void, making it particularly suitable where part of the upper landing must also move. Key specifications:

  • Platform sizes typically 1000–1100 mm wide

  • Load capacity: 350 kg

  • Pit depth: approx. 600 - 1200 mm depending on rise

The Wellington Lift is often chosen where independent tread movement helps protect side voids, such as lightwell zones or cellar beams.

Westminster Lift (Rising Barriers for Standing Users)

Westminster Lift → https://www.sesameaccess.com/lifts/westminster-equality-act-lift

When standing users must be accommodated, rising barriers are required (1100 mm high). Key specifications:

  • Platform usable area typically 1100 mm x 1400 mm (90-degree rotation option available)

  • Load capacity: 350kg

  • Barrier depth below upper landing: approx. 1400 mm

  • Often requires moving the staircase back by one or more treads

Although technically viable, this option introduced higher planning risk due to necessary alterations to the staircase geometry.

How seated-user-only lifts reduce cost and complexity

This enquiry discussion highlighted how restricting the lift to seated users only avoids the need for full-height rising barriers. This reduces:

  • Overall pit depth

  • Structural integration challenges

  • Planning risk

  • Manufacturing complexity

  • Total project cost

For many heritage portico entrances, a seated-user-only Buckingham or Wellington lift provides the most balanced technical outcome.

Pit depth and basement interfaces

Retracting stair systems require 650–1200 mm of depth depending on the model. Where a storage room or corridor exists directly beneath, the pit may need to intrude into neighbouring spaces.

Upper landing geometry

A compliant landing ideally requires around 1500 mm clear depth for turning. In this enquiry, the 960 mm landing meant part of the upper landing may need to retract.

Fire strategy

If the entrance is primary, a fire officer may require UPS backup, interlocked doors, and managed operation procedures.

Planning requirements

Systems that preserve the original stair appearance drastically increase the likelihood of conservation approval.

For deeper background on inclusive methodologies, architects can refer to our article on how inclusive design empowers wheelchair users.

Recommended approach for this project

Based on planning sensitivity, landing depth, pit constraints, and cellar interfaces, the recommended approach was:

  • Install a Buckingham Lift or Wellington Lift in the centre of the staircase.

  • Configure for seated users only to minimise pit depth.

  • Maintain original stair appearance for planning approval.

  • Remove or modify the cellar door beneath the stairs if required.

  • Use Sesame’s site-specific drawings to support planning and fire strategy discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can these lifts be installed without altering the look of the portico?

Yes. Retracting stair solutions such as the Buckingham Lift preserve the original stair appearance.

What is the typical cost for a hidden lift in a heritage portico?

Costs vary depending on rise, pit constraints, and whether rising barriers are required. As a guide:

  • Buckingham Lift: approx. £85,000–£15,000

  • Westminster Lift: approx. £140,000–£160,000

  • Wellington Lift: similar to Buckingham depending on geometry

How long does planning approval normally take?

Typically 8–12 weeks, but conservation-led consultations may extend this.

Do these lifts require Listed Building Consent?

Usually yes, but retracting stair solutions achieve excellent outcomes because they do not alter visible surfaces.

Can they be retrofitted into tight existing staircases?

Yes. The Buckingham and Wellington systems are frequently retrofitted into constrained heritage entrances.

How deep does the pit need to be?

Depending on the model:

  • Vertical retracting stairs: approx. 1100–1200 mm

  • Horizontal retracting stairs: approx. 210–1600 mm

What about fire evacuation routes?

Fire officers generally accept retracting stair systems when the entrance is not a primary escape route. Interlocked doors and managed operation procedures are commonly used.

Call to Action

If you are working on a heritage project with similar constraints, book a meeting with one of our Project Managers here:
https://www.sesameaccess.com/book-a-meeting