Penny Hydraulics, creators of world-class lifting systems, is the latest company to feature on NBS Source’s Inspiration section, which showcases exemplary design and construction projects.
In 2023, the Penny Hydraulics team brought its 45 years of expertise to the renovation of the iconic Old War Office, through the design and installation of four bespoke winching systems. The building, which is located in London’s Whitehall and played host to some of the UK’s most famous statesmen, including Sir Winston Churchill, has undergone extensive renovation to transform it into a new hospitality destination: The OWO.
The refurbished grade II-listed building is home to nine destination restaurants and three bars, a 120-room Raffles London at The OWO, and 85 Raffles branded residences. Integral to the interior upgrade and the atmosphere of the space is the installation of safe, easy, and concealed access to the building’s chandeliers. This enables the building’s operators to safely lower and raise the chandeliers whenever required.
As Royal Warrant Holders, Penny Hydraulics has supplied raising and lowering systems to some of the country’s most high-profile buildings, including Buckingham Palace, the Ministry of Justice, and the British Museum.
On this occasion, three systems were used in the Ballroom, each with a lifting capacity of 110kg. Twin-wire rope electric hoists were used as part of the design, allowing for smooth lifting and lowering action, as well as keeping lighting systems safe, steady, and level. The other system, located above Raffles London at The OWO’s Grand Staircase, also employs a twin-wire electric hoist, but for a much larger lifting capacity of 650kg.
An important aspect of the project was that winch equipment had to be fully hidden from view when the chandeliers were at a high level. To ensure this, the systems had to be integrated into the fabric of the building, which required specific and specialised engineering knowledge and experience. It was imperative that the existing fixtures and fittings were not damaged in any way.
Safety is also paramount, and all the systems had be fully compliant with UK and international lifting regulations and standards. In order to keep operators out of harm’s way, a custom wireless radio remote control was specified. This allows the operator to be in the line of sight at all times, reducing risk.
The end result shows the importance of safe and expertly engineered design, creating atmospheric lighting in a one-of-a-kind setting. Providing market-leading safety, the Penny Hydraulics GoodsLift range is available on NBS Source.
Source: Architecture Today