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Laing O’Rourke collaborates with Kone and devises a modular elevator system to slash onsite installation time.
The general rule of thumb for elevator installation is typically one week per floor, however, their new modular elevator system allows project teams to install a three-storey lift module in just 90 minutes.
Laing O’Rourke and Kone started work on their modular elevator system in late 2018, and by the European spring of 2020, “We designed a working system, delivering two prototypes, both of which proved that the concept worked and that a lift could be modularised,” said Sam Ward, programme leader at Laing O’Rourke’s global technology and innovation group.
The design leverages and advances modular elevator systems that were originally used on cruise ships approximately a decade earlier.
“Both prototypes were a roaring success and they proved that the concept worked and proved that a lift could be modularised in the way that we’d designed”, said Ward
“Workers on site don’t have to deal with the usual volume of deliveries or the proliferation of exclusion zones as the shafts are installed. This is because volumetric frames are fabricated off-site then assembled, wrapped, protected and stored, ready to be delivered on site.”
Watch an explanation of their new modular elevator system
He added: “One of the major benefits of the modular [elevator] system is that it encourages a safer working environment for the fitters. We move work from a relatively confined dark, damp space on site to a controlled factory environment. Also, there is only one delivery instead of multiple deliveries with multiple small components.
“Workers themselves report numerous benefits, including the reduced need for storage space, a reduction in both working at height and manual labour, and notably less on-site clutter, dust and noise.”
Laing O’Rourke fabricates the elevator’s 3D volumetric modular frame, Kone delivers their equipment and assembles it into a 3D volumetric box, which is then wrapped, protected and stored, ready to be delivered to site.
When the modular elevator system arrives at site, it’s lifted into position and installed into the shaft.
Laing O’Rourke has an established offsite construction strategy, with the objective of making 90% of its construction work factory-built by 2025.
See: kone.com/news-and-insights/stories/modular-construction-urban-future
