What is a Sesame Lift?
A Sesame Lift is a revolutionary hydraulic wheelchair lift system, specifically engineered by Sesame Access Systems in the UK to address the accessibility challenges posed by steps and architectural constraints in listed buildings.
The Sesame Lift is a hydraulic system that can be installed in historical or Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II listed buildings, where traditional accessibility solutions like ramps may not be feasible due to listed building regulations or architectural constraints.
At Sesame Access Systems, we have installed our lifts in numerous buildings worldwide, including historical landmarks and important institutions such as the Bank of England, Seattle Space Needle, Sydney Opera House, Kensington Palace, Qatar National Library, and Royal College of Music. We have also received awards for our innovation and design, including The Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2016.
Who designed the Sesame lift?
The Sesame Lift was developed by Sesame Access Systems, a company based in West Byfleet, Surrey, founded by Charlie Lyons, a hydraulic engineer.
Sesame Access was established in 1996 by Charlie Lyons. The concept of the 'Sesame lift' originated when Charlie was discussing with a friend who expressed frustration that his wife, a wheelchair user, couldn't access a 200-year-old Grade I Listed Building, an art gallery with steps up to the front door. The gallery said to his friend, "We are a Listed Building, sorry there is nothing we can do about the steps".
Charlie pondered whether there could be a solution, perhaps through hydraulically moving the steps. Inspired, he sketched out some early designs, and the idea took root. Upon Steven Lyons, Charlie's son, finishing university, they worked together to build an initial prototype in a shed in Staines. After multiple iterations and refinements, the Sesame lift was ready for the market.
The first Sesame lift was installed in Merchant Taylor's Hall, Threadneedle Street, in 1997 and remains operational to this day.
Sesame has since installed its award-winning lifts in over 200 buildings worldwide. The team of Sesame engineers and designers are renowned for their expertise and passion for innovation, design, and British engineering.
Who is a Sesame lift for?
Originally designed for Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II listed buildings where traditional accessibility solutions like ramps may not be feasible due to listed building regulations or architectural constraints, the Sesame lift has evolved to cater to a wide range of settings.
With over 30 different designs, it can now be utilised in listed buildings, private residences, and commercial properties alike. Whether it's for front door access, rising stage lifts, viewing platforms, or other needs, each Sesame lift is custom-designed to fit the specific requirements of the client and the building.
Offering various price points and additional features, the Sesame Lift has become a versatile solution for providing accessibility in diverse environments for everyone.
What are the different types of Sesame Lift?
Horizontally retracting stairlift
A Sesame horizontally retracting stairlift is a type of wheelchair access designed to assist individuals with disabilities or mobility issues in navigating stairs. Unlike traditional stairlifts that move along a fixed track mounted on the stairs, a horizontally retracting stairlift features a platform that is revealed once the stairs have retracted horizontally back into the building or structure.
These lifts are particularly useful in situations where there may not be enough space for a passenger lift or where the gradient is too steep for a ramp. Additionally, they can be used in listed buildings because, when not in use, the lift allows others to use the stairs without obstruction and does not impact the aesthetics of the property, thereby meeting listed building regulations.
Sesame horizontally retracting stairlifts are ideal for projects where there is limited pit depth. The smallest pit depth we can use when designing a Sesame horizontally retracting stairlift is 180 mm plus the thickness of the cladding. This would be suitable for the Sesame Jubilee Disabled Access Lift or Thames Retracting Stairlift.
Surprisingly, even with this minimal pit depth, it can accommodate a total rise of up to 999 mm. This feature makes this style of invisible lift the perfect option for listed and heritage buildings where the lack of pit depth does not hinder the implementation of excellent disabled access.
Vertically retracting stairlift
Similar to the Sesame horizontally retracting stairlift, the Sesame vertically retracting stairlift is a type of wheelchair access designed to assist individuals with disabilities or mobility issues in navigating stairs. Unlike traditional stairlifts that move along a fixed track mounted on the stairs, a vertically retracting stairlift features a platform that is created by the stairs retracting vertically into the building or structure to form a level platform. In essence, the stairs themselves serve as the lift platform.
These lifts are particularly useful in situations where there may not be enough space for a passenger lift or where the gradient is too steep for a ramp. Additionally, they can be used in listed buildings because, when not in use, the lift allows others to use the stairs without obstruction and does not impact the aesthetics of the property, thereby meeting listed building regulations.
However, it is important to note that vertically retracting stairlifts do require a deeper pit depth. For example, the Victoria Chair Lift requires 850 mm, and the Seattle ADA Lift requires 1,640 mm.
Traversing Lift
The Sesame Traversing Lift offers a solution with minimal impact on building structures. Its design occupies less than 1/8th of the space compared to a Part M compliant ramp for a 500 mm rise and takes up only half the space of a traditional platform lift without the need for platform or landing gates. Accessible from any of its three sides on the lower landing, it facilitates wheelchair manoeuvrability.
Moreover, the absence of gates reduces platform time, allowing users to navigate their visit quickly. This feature makes the Traversing Lift particularly suitable for sectors like historic preservation, retail, and hospitality.
Furthermore, historical and listed buildings demand solutions that blend with their existing structures, making this lift an ideal choice. Similarly, in fast-paced sectors like hospitality, where space optimisation is crucial, our hidden wheelchair lifts with their space-saving design shine. The elimination of platform or landing gates ensures minimal disruption to surrounding spaces, enhancing efficiency for users.
Platform Lift
The Sesame Platform Lift is a vertical platform lift or wheelchair lift designed to transport individuals with mobility impairments between different levels of a building or structure. Unlike traditional passenger lifts that move along a vertical shaft, rising platform lifts typically consist of a platform that moves vertically within a frame or enclosure, sometimes without, depending on the rise.
These lifts are commonly used in both residential and commercial settings where accessibility is a concern, such as homes, offices, schools, and public buildings. Rising platform lifts provide a safe and convenient way for wheelchair users, individuals with mobility challenges, or those with limited mobility to navigate between floors without the need for stairs.
They come in various configurations, including enclosed or open platforms, with options for different weight capacities and travel heights to suit different requirements. The advantage of platform lifts is their typically lower cost compared to stairlifts. However, they are only viable where sufficient space is available and are often unsuitable for entrances where a narrow staircase is the sole means of access.
The People's Lift
The People's Lift is a compact vertical platform lift for domestic use and private homes. We have designed this platform lift to offer wheelchair users an affordable but practical solution for their homes. It can also be partly funded using a council disability grant, however this amount will vary.
The People's Lift is a Platform Lift with the option to lock the lift in the up position (The user's home).
Bespoke Lift
All Sesame systems are made bespoke to suit the site they are to be installed in. For example, if a listed building has a staircase with two columns spaced 1047 mm apart then the Sesame lift and retracting stairs would be made 1031 mm wide to fit in between allowing for 8 mm clearance gaps on either side. However, this is still our retracting stair and/or platform foundation design.
Now and then we are asked to create something out of the ordinary. When a client asked for the on-lift button post to disappear, the rising button post was born. When a client asked for the gate to disappear, the rising barrier was born. When a site would not allow for the stairs to retract, the vertically retracting stairs were born.
All of our products have been developed over the years for clients who have challenged the norm.
Please see the following links for more examples of out-of-the-ordinary bespoke lifts Whitechapel Lift in Paris and Trafalgar Wheelchair Platform Lift in London.
If you have a disabled access issue, whatever the available space, whatever the hurdle, please contact us to see if we can develop a bespoke lift for you.
To see our Bespoke Lift videos please click here.
Contact us
For further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can book a video call with our director to speak through any ideas or issues you may have.