ESCALATORS FIGURE BIG IN GANG-DESIGNED O’HARE TERMINAL
ESCALATORS FIGURE BIG IN GANG-DESIGNED O’HARE TERMINAL
Wood-covered escalators are an "architectural element [celebrating] movement and spatial excitement" in Chicago architect Jeanne Gang's winning design for Global Terminal, which will replace Terminal 2 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports. Scheduled to open in 2028 and drawing inspiration from the city's municipal symbol and the meeting of the Chicago River's branches with its “Y” shape, the terminal designed by Gang and her team — Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners — has departing passengers riding escalators up to a security and check-in floor and down to gate level. Forming an "architectural plateau," the departure level for domestic and international travelers would overlook a tree-lined atrium with skylights. Despite Tribune columnist Blair Kamin criticizing the design for being too reliant on escalators, the city stated there is room for adjustments, and the final design will meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
SCHINDLER WINS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH CHARLOTTE ARENA
Schindler has been awarded a five-year contract to provide full maintenance on vertical-transportation (VT) equipment at the Spectrum Center Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company recently announced. The contract covers seven elevators, five escalators and two wheelchair lifts at the arena in Uptown Charlotte, home to the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Charlotte Hornets. The indoor arena, which opened in October 2005, seats 19,077 for NBA games, but can be expanded to 20,200 for college basketball games. Morristown, New Jersey-based Schindler Elevator Corp. is the North American operation of Switzerland-based Schindler Group, a global provider of VT equipment and services.
TEXAS HOSPITAL HIRES NEW ELEVATOR COMPANY AFTER MISHAP
John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, has hired a new elevator-maintenance company following an incident in January in which an employee was critically injured, NBC Channel 5 reports. The hospital previously had a maintenance contract with a major OEM but terminated it starting in May. From May 14, Fort Worth-based SW Elevators, Inc., will have two full-time mechanics onsite at JPS Hospital. The OEM promised to work to ensure a “smooth and seamless transition.” Following approval of the contract with SW on April 11, JPS Hospital President and CEO Robert Early said the facility is looking forward to building a relationship of trust with the new maintenance provider, which he observed has been family owned and operated for three generations and is focused solely on elevator maintenance.
