ELEVATOR WORLD (EW) has been the vertical-transportation
industry’s source for news and information for 67 years, and we aim to continue to be during the coronavirus pandemic affecting readers, advertisers, employees, contributors and associates around the world. With magazines in the U.S., India, the Middle East, Turkey, Europe and the U.K. and a strong online presence, EW has a wide reach. We will share your company news as often as it comes in, so please send it to us at email. Current updates include:
NYC Department of Buildings says all permits issued from the beginning of the state of emergency declaration by New York state on March 12 are extended through May 9 in accordance with Mayoral Emergency Executive Order No. 107.
Kings III Emergency Communications has released a list of crisis-related tips for elevators and common areas. It adds that its technicians are still available to address nonworking phones, though they are limited in terms of new installations at this time. Those with an immediate need for installation are encouraged to discuss it with Kings III on a case-by-case basis.
As it continues to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, elevator consultancy VDA has released “Shutting Down Your Elevator Requires Planning and Coordination,” which includes helpful information for building owners and managers.
STUDENT ELEVATOR/ESCALATOR DESIGN COMPETITION
Schindler and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) have launched Elevate 2.0, “a reimagining” of the Elevate Your Pitch business idea competition that focuses on elevator and escalator design. Students of all design backgrounds will be required to “think creatively and out of the box as they begin to reimagine elevators/escalators.” Concepts can incorporate modularity, accessibility and other features. Entries are due by July 15, and a jury will then select the top three entries. “We have been so impressed by the creative business ideas coming out of this competition over the past three years,” Kristin Prudhomme, vice president, New Installations at Schindler, said. “We look forward to seeing how this year’s new challenge ignites these creative minds to imagine elevators, which are close to Schindler’s heart.”
MOST HONG KONG ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS FAIL SAFETY RULES
An investigation reveals that most of the elevators and escalators in Hong Kong do not meet the government’s safety requirements, The Standard recently reported. As of the end of 2017, Hong Kong’s safety ombudsman said 80% of the 66,000 lifts and 90% of the 9,300 escalators lacked components that meet standards set by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. In addition, the investigation found that more than 21,000 lifts and escalators are at least 30 years old. “Serious accidents involving lifts and escalators in recent years have aroused public concern about the adequacy of the government’s current regulatory measures,” said Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin. High-profile incidents include a suddenly reversing escalator in March 2017 that hurt 18 people; the death of a woman who fell down an elevator shaft in May 2018; and a couple critically injured in April 2018 when the elevator they were in shot upward, crashing into the top of the hoistway. The ongoing investigation will examine the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance regarding maintenance and inspections, including the adequacy of the official monitoring mechanism. This will involve examining the effectiveness of its regulation of contractors and technicians and seeking areas for improvement.
ZHA-DESIGNED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT APPROVED IN LONDON
Vauxhall Cross Island, a mixed-use trio of towers up to approximately 55 stories across from Vauxhall Underground Station, has been approved by planning officials in South London, The Architect’s Newspaper is among outlets to report. The source describes the Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)-designed towers as “more subtle” than typical ZHA designs, though they still have the signature biomechanical look of the late architect’s creations. Having been opposed for years because of its scale, Vauxhall Cross Island is envisioned as a new town center for Vauxhall, with 257 apartments, offices, a hotel, retail space and a new public square. A timeline for the project, being developed by VCI Property Holding, has not been announced.
CROWN FINS COMPLETE ATOP 425 PARK AVENUE
Three flat, rectangular fins that make up the crown of 425 Park Avenue in NYC are now fully enclosed in metal paneling, as the 897-ft-tall office tower approaches completion, New York YIMBY reports. The 47-story skyscraper designed by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners is being developed by L&L Holding Co. LLC, with Adamson Associates as the architect of record. A check on the site in December 2019 showed that the structural framework of the crown fins had been recently completed. Since then, the back side of the building has been nearly completely covered; meanwhile, the construction crane and exterior hoist remain in place as a metal framework to hold glass panels for the top two levels was assembled. Work was also progressing on exterior metal panels running the height of the structure’s main columns. Construction of the tower in the Midtown East neighborhood is expected to wrap sometime next year.
NYC Department of Buildings says all permits issued from the beginning of the state of emergency declaration by New York state on March 12 are extended through May 9 in accordance with Mayoral Emergency Executive Order No. 107.
Kings III Emergency Communications has released a list of crisis-related tips for elevators and common areas. It adds that its technicians are still available to address nonworking phones, though they are limited in terms of new installations at this time. Those with an immediate need for installation are encouraged to discuss it with Kings III on a case-by-case basis.
As it continues to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, elevator consultancy VDA has released “Shutting Down Your Elevator Requires Planning and Coordination,” which includes helpful information for building owners and managers.
STUDENT ELEVATOR/ESCALATOR DESIGN COMPETITION
Schindler and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) have launched Elevate 2.0, “a reimagining” of the Elevate Your Pitch business idea competition that focuses on elevator and escalator design. Students of all design backgrounds will be required to “think creatively and out of the box as they begin to reimagine elevators/escalators.” Concepts can incorporate modularity, accessibility and other features. Entries are due by July 15, and a jury will then select the top three entries. “We have been so impressed by the creative business ideas coming out of this competition over the past three years,” Kristin Prudhomme, vice president, New Installations at Schindler, said. “We look forward to seeing how this year’s new challenge ignites these creative minds to imagine elevators, which are close to Schindler’s heart.”
MOST HONG KONG ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS FAIL SAFETY RULES
An investigation reveals that most of the elevators and escalators in Hong Kong do not meet the government’s safety requirements, The Standard recently reported. As of the end of 2017, Hong Kong’s safety ombudsman said 80% of the 66,000 lifts and 90% of the 9,300 escalators lacked components that meet standards set by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. In addition, the investigation found that more than 21,000 lifts and escalators are at least 30 years old. “Serious accidents involving lifts and escalators in recent years have aroused public concern about the adequacy of the government’s current regulatory measures,” said Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin. High-profile incidents include a suddenly reversing escalator in March 2017 that hurt 18 people; the death of a woman who fell down an elevator shaft in May 2018; and a couple critically injured in April 2018 when the elevator they were in shot upward, crashing into the top of the hoistway. The ongoing investigation will examine the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance regarding maintenance and inspections, including the adequacy of the official monitoring mechanism. This will involve examining the effectiveness of its regulation of contractors and technicians and seeking areas for improvement.
ZHA-DESIGNED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT APPROVED IN LONDON
Vauxhall Cross Island, a mixed-use trio of towers up to approximately 55 stories across from Vauxhall Underground Station, has been approved by planning officials in South London, The Architect’s Newspaper is among outlets to report. The source describes the Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)-designed towers as “more subtle” than typical ZHA designs, though they still have the signature biomechanical look of the late architect’s creations. Having been opposed for years because of its scale, Vauxhall Cross Island is envisioned as a new town center for Vauxhall, with 257 apartments, offices, a hotel, retail space and a new public square. A timeline for the project, being developed by VCI Property Holding, has not been announced.
CROWN FINS COMPLETE ATOP 425 PARK AVENUE
Three flat, rectangular fins that make up the crown of 425 Park Avenue in NYC are now fully enclosed in metal paneling, as the 897-ft-tall office tower approaches completion, New York YIMBY reports. The 47-story skyscraper designed by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners is being developed by L&L Holding Co. LLC, with Adamson Associates as the architect of record. A check on the site in December 2019 showed that the structural framework of the crown fins had been recently completed. Since then, the back side of the building has been nearly completely covered; meanwhile, the construction crane and exterior hoist remain in place as a metal framework to hold glass panels for the top two levels was assembled. Work was also progressing on exterior metal panels running the height of the structure’s main columns. Construction of the tower in the Midtown East neighborhood is expected to wrap sometime next year.
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Post time: Apr-24-2020