The appearance of a panoramic elevator is very different. Compared with traditional elevators, a panoramic elevator has a transparent or translucent glass cabin, which allows passengers to enjoy a wide view during the movement, so it is widely used in shopping malls, hotels, exhibition centers, and high-end residences.
What Is a Panoramic Elevator?
A panoramic elevator, also known as a sightseeing elevator, is a type of elevator designed with a transparent or translucent glass cabin, which can provide passengers with an immersive panoramic view during the up and down movement. Its cabin is mostly made of tempered glass or laminated glass, supplemented by a metal frame support, and is usually installed in the facade, atrium, or open structure of the building. It not only provides the basic functions of an elevator but also provides space beautification.
Compared with traditional elevators, sightseeing elevators are more open and transparent, have better lighting, and are easier to attract people and enhance the value of buildings.
Common Applications Include:
- Business Centers: Enhance customer experience and space value
- Hotels and Museums: Enhance vertical access while providing sightseeing effects
- Residential Buildings: Add design highlights to high-end apartments
What Types of Panoramic Elevators Are There?
Classification by Design Style
Full-glass elevator: The walls and top of the car are made of transparent glass, creating an extreme sense of openness and immersive viewing experience, suitable for places such as shopping malls or tourist attractions that need to create visual highlights.
Semi-glass elevator: Part of the wall is made of glass, and the rest is metal or composite panels, taking into account both safety and beauty, and is more suitable for homes or offices that focus on privacy or do not want to be exposed to full view.
Classification by Structural Shape
Semi-circular panoramic elevator: The curved surface design brings a stronger sense of architectural integration and dynamic beauty, and is an ideal focus for the atrium or main entrance area.
Cut-Angle Panoramic Elevator: Mainly with oblique angles or polygonal designs, it is suitable for fitting corners or irregular spaces, and improving layout flexibility.
Square Panoramic Elevator: Standardized structure, high manufacturing and installation efficiency, suitable for shopping malls and residential projects with strict requirements on space layout.
Classification by Installation Location
External panoramic elevator: Installed on the facade of the building, supported by a steel structure, a self-contained system, short construction period, and easy to maintain independently.
Built-In Panoramic Elevator: Embedded in the building atrium or staircase surround structure, with high visual integration, more overall coordination with the space, suitable for high-end building interior landscape design.
Classification by Drive Mode
Hydraulic Panoramic Elevator: The hydraulic system drives the car up and down, running smoothly, suitable for 3–5-story low-rise buildings, but with high energy efficiency requirements.
Traction Panoramic Elevator: Adopts a wire rope traction system, fast speed, strong carrying capacity, is the mainstream choice for medium and high-rise buildings, and can meet the needs of large passenger flow.
MRL (Machine Roomless) Panoramic Elevator: The drive device is integrated at the top of the shaft, no independent machine room is required, small footprint, low energy consumption, more suitable for energy-saving new construction or renovation projects.
Is the Glass Material of the Panoramic Elevator Safe?
Although the panoramic elevator uses large areas of glass as the car and shaft walls, it does not mean that it is unsafe. In fact, to ensure the safety of passengers, the glass used in sightseeing elevators is usually tempered glass with a thickness of 12mm or more, or laminated glass with a higher safety level. These materials not only have high strength and impact resistance, but also will not produce sharp-angled fragments even if they are broken. At the same time, they can withstand large wind pressure and temperature changes, and can fully cope with complex environments such as high-rise or outdoor installations.
In terms of international standards, the glass structure of all panoramic elevators must meet safety specifications such as EN 81-20/50 (Europe) or ANSI A17.1 (USA). These specifications have strict requirements on the pressure-bearing performance, fall prevention, and shatter prevention of glass. For example, even if laminated glass is broken, the fragments will adhere to the middle film layer and will not fall off, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
In summary, as long as you choose a brand and configuration that meets the specifications, the glass of the panoramic elevator is not only beautiful, but also a highly safe and reliable structural material.
What Structural Modifications Are Required to Install a Sightseeing Elevator?
Civil Engineering and Structural Requirements
- External wall reinforcement or independent steel frame construction is required.
- An external steel shaft or an indoor frame shaft is usually used
- An electromechanical interface matching the original building structure is required
- Space reservation and size standards
- Shaft width = elevator net width + 250mm
- Top height ≥2500mm, easy to maintain, and emergency escape
Installation Steps
- Check structural strength and waterproofing ability
- Build a steel structure support frame
- Install guide rail and cable interface
- Fix the glass car and seal it well
- Access the control system and debug, and run
Comparison Of the Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Glass Elevator Drive Systems
Hydraulic Drive System
- Advantages: Easy installation, low cost
- Disadvantages: Frequent maintenance of hydraulic equipment, high energy consumption
Traction Drive System (Including MRL)
- Advantages: Fast speed, energy saving, suitable for high-rise buildings
- Lack Points: Space is required at the top, and the initial investment is slightly higher
Performance Comparison：
- Drive mode Travel limit Speed range Energy consumption level Maintenance frequency
- Hydraulic ≤15 meters 0.3–0.6m/s High Every 3 months
- Traction ≥15 meters 1.0–2.5m/s Medium Every 6 months
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Panoramic Elevator?
Cost Composition
Elevator equipment (glass, drive system)
Structural steel frame and support frame
Control system and electrical equipment
Labor and Construction Costs
Basic Model (Within 3 Floors): Approx. $25,000–$40,000
High-End Customized Models (High-Rise/Special-Shaped): Up to $100,000+
Factors Affecting Costs
- The higher the number of floors, the higher the cost
- Is it an external structure?
- Does the installation site need to remove/modify the original elevator?
Which Places Are Suitable for Installing Panoramic Lift?
- High-end residential or apartment buildings
- Commercial complexes (such as shopping mall atria)
- Exhibition centers and art galleries
- Seaside buildings or riverside hotels
How to Choose a Suitable Sightseeing Elevator?
When purchasing a panoramic elevator, you should first determine the drive type based on the number of floors and usage scenarios: For buildings with less than 5 floors, hydraulic drive is a more economical and practical choice, with flexible installation and smooth operation; while medium and high-rise buildings with 10 floors or more are more suitable for traction or machine room-less (MRL) systems, which have faster running speeds and higher load-bearing efficiency. In addition, it is also necessary to focus on the energy efficiency level, noise control level, and subsequent maintenance costs of the elevator, which will affect the long-term user experience and energy expenses.
How to Find a Reliable Panoramic Elevator Manufacturer?
In addition to international or local mandatory certification (such as EN 81-20/50 or ANSI A17.1), an excellent panoramic elevator manufacturer should also be able to provide pre-construction structural review and 3D modeling design solutions to ensure that the elevator is highly compatible with the building structure and reduce the risk of later renovation. It is recommended to give priority to brands with actual cases and mature delivery capabilities, such as BDFUJI, OTIS, Savaria, etc. They have stable performance in multiple projects around the world and a complete after-sales service system, which can provide more reliable long-term support for developers and owners.
If you are planning an elevator solution for a construction project, a panoramic elevator that takes into account both functionality and design will be a good choice. Welcome to contact BDFUJI. We will provide you with professional panoramic elevator selection suggestions, 3D drawing review, and customized quotation services.
