Lift Project

ENTRANCE LOBBY TO UPPER LIBRARY

A jewel in Edinburgh’s crown, the Signet Library is not only of outstanding architectural and bibliographic importance, but also one of the city’s most frequented and inspiring spaces for events. Our building hosts everything from national ceremonies to major conferences, weddings to receptions, dinners to musical concerts.

There is but one drawback to this superlative building which is that its Upper Library is only accessible by stair. We want everyone without hindrance to be able to enjoy this breathtaking space

The WS Society is launching a campaign to raise financial support to install a lift between the main entrance to the Signet Library and the first-floor landing of the Upper Library. We have a fully worked specification which has been through and satisfied the Listed Building process.

Design

Situated as you arrive within the entrance to the Signet Library, the lift design minimises opening-up work and visual impact, avoiding having any bearing on primary structural elements.

At rest, the lift car’s normal position will be the entrance hall so that the upper landing is unchanged. When the lift rises to ceiling level in the entrance hall, the upper landing panel opens to receive the lift car. To ensure safe use, the lift would be key-operated and an authorised person would attend on the upper landing to keep the area clear to allow the lift to rise through the floor. Time travel would be circa 25 seconds, similar to the time to walk unhurriedly up the stairs.

A short video of the lift in action is below (click here to access on mobile).

COST AND FUNDING

Project costs are estimated at £500,000, towards which £100,000 has already been committed. The Society is seeking raise the balance from grant-making bodies and philanthropic donors. This is a high-profile project for a prestigious building which is in daily use by a wide range of visitors, including regular royal visits and national ceremonial occasions, as well as guests attending events. Financial supporters will be credited for their contributions and larger donors will have the opportunity to have their name recorded in the lift car.

CONSERVATION STATEMENT

Click here for a full Conservation Statement which explains the longer-term strategy to make all the main spaces of the Signet Library accessible step-free with two lifts, with the entrance lobby lift being the immediate and most pressing priority.

CONTACT

For more information, contact the Society’s Chief Executive, Robert Pirrie WS.