Why Plan Elevators Early in Building Design?
You may have heard of cases like these:
A building’s fire elevator couldn’t be installed because the pit depth didn’t meet the required size.
In a residential project, the elevator machine room was built under a living area, and the noise disturbed residents. They later had to pay extra for noise reduction modifications.
These issues could have been avoided with early elevator planning.
If the building structure is the skeleton, then elevators are the arteries that keep it alive. Designing the elevator system early not only improves overall efficiency but also avoids rework and saves construction costs.
7 Tips to Get Elevator Design Right from the Start
1. Plan Elevators Early
Elevator planning isn’t something you tack on at the last minute.
Your building’s layout affects elevator specs, and elevator requirements can impact shaft size, machine room location, floor height, and more. So remember: the earlier you plan, the fewer surprises you’ll face.
2. Define the Elevator’s Purpose
Different types of buildings need different types of elevators:
Offices and commercial buildings: High traffic during peak hours, frequent use — you need fast, high-capacity elevators with efficient group control.
Residential buildings: Focus on comfort and low noise. Avoid placing elevator doors directly opposite unit doors.
Hotels: Need to balance guest elevators, service elevators, and sometimes dumbwaiters.
Hospitals: Require large stretchers or bed elevators, fast response time, and designated emergency access.
Warehouses and industrial buildings: Typically use freight elevators or combined passenger/freight lifts.
Understanding the elevator’s function helps you make smarter design choices.
3. Reserve Enough Building Space
Don’t wait until construction starts to check if the shaft is big enough.
Make sure you plan for:
- Shaft dimensions, overhead clearance (OH), and pit depth;
- Machine room space (if using a traction elevator with machine room);
- Hallway space and door clearance;
- Cable routing, power supply, fire system integration, and other MEP considerations.
- Wrong dimensions can cause major rework and delay installation.
4. Consider the Aesthetics
Elevators are part of your building’s overall look and feel.
Keep these in mind:
Match the car interior, door finishes, and frame to your building style;
For premium projects, consider custom design for a more upscale look;
In open areas, panoramic elevators need extra care in glass selection, lighting, and safety.
5. Coordinate with Construction Teams
Elevator installation overlaps with other trades — structure, MEP, and interior finishing.
To avoid problems:
Confirm all drawings early, especially for reserved openings and embedded parts;
Plan out the construction sequence to keep things on schedule and avoid rework.
6. Follow Local Safety and Code Standards
Every country or region has its own elevator regulations. For example:
EU: EN 81 series;
US: ASME A17.1;
China: GB 7588.
If you’re unfamiliar with local codes, consult a qualified elevator supplier early in the process to ensure compliance and smooth inspections.
7. Consider Future Maintenance and Expansion
Buildings are used for a long time, and so are elevators. It is recommended to consider future needs in advance:
Reserve space in the shaft to prepare for possible future elevator additions (especially in commercial buildings).
Modular design makes maintenance and upgrades easier.
Reserve IoT interfaces to enable smart functions such as remote monitoring and fault warning.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortcut to great elevator design — it takes early planning, open communication, and detailed coordination.
If you need professional advice during the new project phase, Dazen Elevator can provide comprehensive support, including elevator selection, civil engineering drawing recommendations, and space reservation references. Please feel free to contact us.