Elizabeth Tower’s iconic restoration by Purcell with bespoke Stannah lifts shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize
The UK’s most famous clock tower, Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben and featuring newly installed custom designed Stannah 13-person passenger lift and hydraulic platform lift to improve workers’ safety and accessibility, has earned Purcell a place in this year’s Stirling Prize shortlist.
Work led by Purcell at the lower levels included extensive stone repairs, the refurbishment of various interior rooms for exhibitions and admin, and the clever insertion of two Stannah lifts is a welcome addition for the clock engineers and tour guides.
This recognition for architects and principal designer Purcell also highlights the collective effort of contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine, lift specialists Stannah, who delivered the lift solutions alongside lift consultants SVM Associates (SVMA) to provide safe, step-free access for maintenance teams within this historic landmark and many other partners.
Stannah’s expertise in delivering lift solutions for all types of projects, including historic, heritage and Grade I listed buildings, played a crucial role in overcoming one of the tower’s greatest challenges: providing safe access to the belfry whilst preserving the building’s integrity.
The Stirling Prize, awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), recognises buildings that have made the most significant impact in architecture.
The winners of the Stirling Prize will be announced at the upcoming awards ceremony at the Roundhouse in London on 16th October.
Elizabeth Tower is a Grade I listed building and is considered to be of exceptional national interest and is part of the Grade I listed Palace of Westminster, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The lift solution
Completed in 1859, Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament was designed by Augustus Pugin in a Perpendicular Gothic Revival style. In 2012, the clock tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. At 96 metres tall with a climb of 334 spiral steps, routine maintenance was extremely difficult and moving heavy equipment was even more challenging.
To address this, two Stannah custom designed lifts were specified by SVM Associates (SVMA) lift consultants for installation within the existing stone ventilation shaft inside the tower. The main 13-person passenger lift travels 57 metres from the ground to the 11th floor at a top speed of 1.5 metres per second. With a second, smaller 500kg hydraulic platform lift providing access to the Belfry.
The project demanded precision engineering to create reliable lift systems that now support clock engineers’ work and improve safety, all while preserving the tower’s historic fabric.
Adding to the challenge, Elizabeth Tower leans 0.23 degrees northwest, creating a significant lateral displacement between the base and top of the shaft. This required a bespoke engineering solution from Stannah and careful installation to align the lift system.
David Saunders, Head of Major Projects Division at Stannah Lifts, said, “We are proud to see the Big Ben project shortlisted for yet another award and congratulate Purcell and their client, Strategic Estates/UK Parliament, for the way they approached this iconic project. The Stirling Prize recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all partners in preserving this historic building, and to our team’s commitment in delivering a bespoke lift solution.”
David added, "We collaborated extensively with SVM Associates (SVMA) throughout this venture and valued their input. Together with the skilled team at Stannah, we successfully addressed all project challenges utilising modern engineering techniques."
The Stannah Major Projects Division’s role included detailed manufacturing design of the lift and platform, installation and commissioning.
Elizabeth Tower has already received the RIBA London Award, the RIBA National Award, the Project of the Year Award by Elevator World and has previously been shortlisted in the Building Awards—and now stands as a strong contender for the UK architecture’s most prestigious prize.
Elizabeth Tower is one of only six buildings to be shortlisted for this year's Stirling Prize—one will be crowned the UK’s best building at a celebration evening on 16 October at the Roundhouse, London.