Vertical Transportation
Our deep knowledge of structural dynamics and vibrational modeling ensures that high standards for safety, reliability, and efficient ongoing operation will be met. Interdisciplinary coordination ensures that elevators, escalators, and moving walkways are integral components of the design. From due diligence to concept development through construction and installation, vertical transportation solutions consistently complement and support critical building features.
Our priority in each project is to realize the client and architect’s design intent. We give the client and architect options for consideration, taking into account everything from custom elevator treatments and fixtures to the shape of a building’s profile.
What sets DeSimone apart is our interdisciplinary collaboration across vertical transportation, structural design, façade and building envelope, and structural detailing—all under one roof. This integration enables us to solve complex building challenges holistically, ensuring vertical systems align seamlessly with core layouts, structural demands, and envelope performance.
Longstanding partnerships with property managers, owners, architects, developers, and elevator contractors translates into a nuanced, systemic understanding of your vertical system options.
The DeSimone team includes top vertical transportation consultants, nationally recognized for innovation in the field. As industry veterans, our experts have developed successful vertical transportation solutions for such iconic buildings as the Space Needle in Seattle and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Complex structures for Greystar, Hines, Tishman-Speyer, and The Orden Company also number among our commercial projects.
Our experience with vibration modeling, measurement, and control ranges from the barely perceptible movements of NYC supertall residential towers on Billionaire’s Row to wind sway and people-induced vibrations of floors and observation decks. Expert measurement and monitoring permits data-informed assessments of the building and supplemental damper performance.
We’ve designed vertical transportation systems on both coasts of the US, and the majority of states in-between. As a result, we’ve had to meet a variety of state and local standards and regulations. We have also worked under the constraints of a diverse number of difficult terrains and weather conditions, including regions that experience extreme seismic and wind events.
New Construction: We optimize core layouts, minimize floorplan space impacts, and enhance vertical traffic flow. Advanced simulation modeling reflects a building’s specific uses and performance goals.
Supertall Structures: We deliver safe, efficient, and code-compliant operation, from day one, by meeting the unique challenges of tall buildings: rope-sway, stack effect, piston effect, and core size.
Modernizations: Vertical transportation solutions for aging infrastructure range from straightforward controller replacements to complex conversions, including double-deck elevators and full-access control integration.
Maintenance: Due diligence is about maximizing your vertical transportation system’s reliability and protecting your investment over time. We review service contracts, evaluate maintenance quality, and forecast capital needs.
Vertical transportation solutions impact all building systems, requiring a systemic approach. Elevator design, including materials selection, involves decision-making early in the process and throughout the project for a successful outcome.
Elevators, escalators, and moving walkways are customized systems, requiring sufficient lead time for specialized equipment to arrive on time. Our engineers pre-plan for vertical transportation systems procurement, typically a year in advance, to ensure that the right technology is identified and custom elements can be fabricated for the specific needs of the building and site.
DeSimone provides ongoing value by designing vertical transportation systems distinguished for their built-in flexibility. When considered during concept development, the design can accommodate new advances in elevator technology over time.
Part of accommodating evolving tenant expectations is considering the potential of new technologies. In recent years, we’ve worked with destination dispatching, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) within IoT ecosystems, and smart access control integration. DeSimone’s value is helping you assess technology options to ensure that your vertical transportation systems meet your needs on day one and into the future.
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About us
In an industry in which consolidation has become the norm, DeSimone stands apart from large engineering practices. The diversification of our services enables us to support a global clientele experiencing complex challenges. We remain independent so that we are able to provide bespoke and personal solutions, wherever your vision takes you.
Structural engineering is where we began, and it is still the core of our practice. But through the years, we have expanded the services we offer our clients, from façade and building envelope to vertical transportation to steel detailing and fabrication-ready modeling to advisory services.
