Deciding that your elevator cab needs an upgrade is relatively easy. Deciding what it should look like can be exhausting. A disciplined approach at some point during the process can reduce the headache and improve the solution dramatically.
All solutions will eventually have to be grounded in financial reality, and given the credit and liquidity pressure on global markets over the past year, those realities may be particularly restrictive today. The durability of a solution is often just as important as the aesthetic complement to a lobby or hallway, and the two goals are seldom mutually exclusive. Even going "green" is easier and less costly than many think, and with some detailed planning, this can represent the centerpiece of the project.
Although the materials available and the designs employed are virtually unbounded, the bottom line is that a disciplined approach will quickly result in a manageable set of options. Many clients shy away from exploring complex solutions, concluding that the design cost and overall project lead times will be prohibitive. However, with the right partner, very often these solutions can be defined, presented and delivered in a costeffective and expeditious manner.
Cab Solutions can incorporate a variety of materials and designs for its clients. And the company can discuss a project in light of any financial constraints.
Once a budget and theme have been established, a series of appropriate solutions can be presented. Very often, the choices will progress in terms of complexity and cost. Vertical-hanging panels represent the most common design layout, but the number of panels used, their relative positioning and the materials in which the panels are faced can vary a great deal. Plastic laminates continue to represent the most costeffective, yet durable, solution. Patterned stainless steel adds durability, some cost and weight to the equation but also expands the flexibility in terms of design and relationship with the rest of the building. Bonded, fused and architectural metals add an even greater degree of design flexibility. They can be used in either a comprehensive or an accenting capacity but may represent the most expensive solution. Glass (colored, etched and mirrored), wood veneer, stone, colored plastic and bamboo round out the most typical wall materials. It is important to ensure that all materials used are code compliant, in particular, regarding firerating and safety with respect to glass.
When scope includes ceilings, there is a variety of high-efficient lighting choices covering a broad range of prices. Finally, when it comes to floors, the color and texture choices available in rubber and vinyl tiles are quite amazing. Granite and marble, with their array of pattern and color,are readily available in a thin, durable form, helping to mitigate to a large extent their biggest drawback – the added weight.
For more information, contact Nick Morley at Cab Solutions, phone: (215) 355-0501 or e-mail: nmorley@cabsolution.com
John C. King is cofounder of Cab Solutions, LLC, a company focused on the remodeling of elevator cab interiors. Prior to forming Cab Solutions, King worked two years at Fortress Investment Group in New York City, five years at the Brickman Group and 14 years with Goldman Sachs. He received a BS in Business & Economics (minor in international relations) from Lehigh University.