Installation of a Retractable Stairlift in a Heritage-Protected Environment – Discreet Innovation for Barrier-Free Access
Creating barrier-free access to historic buildings presents architects and developers with particular challenges. In areas where the appearance of the historical fabric must remain strictly untouched, innovative yet sensitive solutions are required. A prime example of this is the installation of a retractable stairlift at the Federal Palace West on Bundesgasse in Bern.
The task was to redesign the historic staircase with its intermediate landing to provide barrier-free access—without compromising the visual impact or the historical character of the structure. A conventional, visibly mounted stairlift was therefore not an option. Instead, the responsible architect, Mani Aebersold, in close collaboration with the general planner Itten Brechbühl from Bern, opted for a fully integrated solution: a retractable wheelchair lifting platform.
Implementing this project required significant structural effort. Each step of the staircase is movable and designed to be individually controlled. By precisely segmenting the steps, movable elements were created that can transform into a lifting platform when needed.
The technical installations, such as the control system and hydraulics, were discreetly integrated and cleverly concealed. Located in the basement, they are completely hidden from view, allowing the historical façade to remain entirely intact.
This innovative approach is a compelling example of how heritage preservation and modern accessibility requirements do not have to be at odds—but can harmoniously coexist. The successful project sets new standards in the treatment of historical architecture and demonstrates how innovative engineering, combined with sensitive design, can unite cultural heritage with inclusive access.