Vertical Transportation
Vertical Transportation systems are a critical component of a building. Elevators and escalators are not isolated, but are part of a larger story that includes structure, architecture, and tenant expectations, which together determine long-term building performance.
At DeSimone we take an integrated and collaborative approach to each project we work on. Our Vertical Transportation consultants sit alongside our structural and façade teams. This team approach helps us plan systems that make sense for the entire building throughout its full lifecycle. Whether the project requires assessing existing systems or designing new ones, our focus is on practical solutions that support reliability, safety, and the best user experience.
Vertical Transportation works best when it is coordinated from the beginning. Our consultants collaborate closely with DeSimone’s structural, façade, and detailing teams so systems align with the building’s geometry, core layout, and long-term needs. We also help plan equipment procurement early, since many systems require long lead times and customization. Our focus is practicality, clarity, and long-term performance. We design systems that are adaptable, maintainable, and prepared for future technology shifts.
Our team is built upon the strength and deep knowledge of our specialists who have worked on some of the most complex and recognizable buildings in the country. These projects include the Space Needle in Seattle, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, as well as major developments for Hines, Greystar, Tishman Speyer, and The Orden Company. Our teams have worked in challenging coastal regions, high-wind environments, and seismic zones, each of which present their own set of challenges for Vertical Transportation systems. This range of experience helps us deliver systems that perform reliably, suit local requirements, and support the daily life of the people who use them.
Maintenance Management
Maintenance Management is essential to helping owners and facility managers maintain a high level of consistency by reviewing maintenance programs, invoices, and working with contractors to ensure contractual requirements are met. Monthly tracking of elevator equipment also allows us to build performance baselines to identify patterns, ultimately resulting in more reliable equipment. With this level of attention to elevators and escalators in a building, it allows us to make recommendations for capital and long-term project planning, creating fewer surprises.
Due Diligence
It is important to understand how well elevator systems have been maintained and how long they will continue to operate as intended. Our teams evaluate equipment condition, safety, code compliance, and modernization planning so owners, Facilities Management teams, and investors have a clear understanding of what they are taking on.
Traffic Studies
Simulation modeling helps us understand how a building moves, especially during peak times. We analyze how people will move through a property which allows us to make recommendations on the number of elevators required for best building flow, controller and car speed strategies, so the building can perform well post-occupancy.
Modernization Planning
Modernization of an elevator system is a major and impactful moment in a building’s lifecycle. We help owners and Facilities Management teams understand what their elevator systems need, and how the work can be sequenced to minimize building and tenant impact. This comprehensive and focused approach lets owners and Facilities Management teams realize true long-term value.
Peer Review
With projects of magnitude, it is often best practice to get a second opinion to understand exactly what the project requires. At DeSimone, we review in detail project plans, specifications, traffic analysis models, and proposals to make sure code requirements are met, and project goals and performance expectations are defined.
Expert Witnessing
We provide independent analysis, documentation review, and testimony for legal teams, insurers, facility and property managers as well as owners. We deliver clear, factual evaluations that support resolution of complex situations.
New Construction Design
In new buildings, vertical transportation systems are essential to the early story of that building. We work directly with architects and structural engineers to shape core layouts, reduce floorplate impact, and create systems that reflect the building’s purpose and identity.
Supertall Buildings
Tall buildings can behave in ways that are not obvious from the ground. Rope sway, stack effect, piston effect, wind motion: these elements influence elevator performance. Our technical teams have extensive knowledge and experience navigating these conditions as well as designing systems that are predictable and reliable for building occupants.
Vibration Analysis
Wind, weather, and building occupants can affect building movement which in turn can affect the performance and comfort of the elevator systems. Our team can measure, analyze, and monitor these conditions and recommend mitigation strategies when needed. This is especially important in buildings with sensitive structural behavior.
Technology Integration
Elevator technology continues to evolve rapidly. We help owners understand and implement options such as destination dispatch, smart access control, and IoT integrations. The goal is to introduce technology that improves performance today and leaves room for future upgrades.
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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.
