Forbes Library, a 19th century Richardsonian Romanesque landmark in downtown Northampton, had an enclosed vestibule with an old rickety and temperamental wheelchair lift. The brief was to design a reliable, modern elevator that would fit well with the beautiful stonework of the original building and vestibule. Through an RFP process, TDA’s proposal was selected on the strength of our extensive historic preservation portfolio and our experience with sensitive interventions in adapting existing buildings to modern requirements.
The resulting design adapted a standard elevator to fit in the tight confines of the vestibule that fit well with the period of the building. Avoiding the typical materials associated with elevators, such as CMU or concrete walls, an ornamental metal “birdcage” was designed to enclose the elevator and to structurally support the elevator rails. The fourth wall is all glass, allowing light to enter from every side of the elevator and visitors to see through the cage, highlighting the artistry of the metalwork.
