Gooding Aluminium Duke of York Steps case study.

1. Gooding Aluminium Limited
CASE STUDY
DUKE OF YORK STEPS, ST JAMES’S PARK
Project: Zero-Energy Lift Tower
(partly sponsored by Gooding Aluminium)
Event: London Festival of Architecture 2010
Location: Duke of York Steps, St James’s
Park, London SW1
Product: GA HGP1601 Aluminium Treadplate
Architect/Designer: Matthew Lloyd Architects
Client: The Royal Parks
Gooding Aluminium Limited
1 British Wharf
Landmann Way
London SE14 5RS
United Kingdom
T: + 44 (0)20 8692 2255 F: + 44 (0)20 8469 0031 Email: sales@goodingalum.com

2. About the Project:
Project Brief
The project brief was to make the historic site of the Duke of York Steps (running between The Mall and Waterloo Place near Lower Regent Street)
accessible for all. Previously, the steps were completely inaccessible to wheel chair users. Gooding Aluminium’s super lightweight aluminium
treadplates (GA HGP1601) were the perfect partner for this weight sensitive and innovative project.
The core objective was to facilitate the passage of a person in a wheelchair or mobility scooter up and down the steps using dignified and
independent means without connecting to mains electricity. This installation has became one of the key highlights of the West End focus for the
London Festival of Architecture 2010 and there is future development planned for a more permanent solution for the London Olympics in 2012.
Project Solutions
Gooding Aluminium’s workshop fabricated the slip resistant alloy material into folded trays for use as flooring plates on the access ramp and lift floor.
Aluminium is perfect for incorporating into weight sensitive applications, such as this one. Aluminium is only 1/3rd the weight of steel.
Aluminium’s surface has a self generating and repairing oxide coating which makes it corrosion resistant and therefore less expensive to maintain
than steel and other corrodible metals.
“The entire project intervention consists of three zero-energy lift towers that responds to the three flights of steps on the site. The lifts are powered by
solar energy and use water weights to counterbalance the lift cart. The installation highlights issues of accessibility in the city and demonstrates the
uses of alternative energies, whilst providing an educational tool and an interactive attraction for members to enjoy as part of the London Festival of
Architecture.” (Source information: The Royal Parks)
The lift shafts each have a header tank filled with water that when activated will drain into side water tanks to counter balance the movement of the
lift platform going up. The water is returned to the header tank using water pumps powered by PV cells. The mechanical working of the lifts are
visually displayed so that visitors to the attraction can see how it operates.
Gooding Aluminium Limited
1 British Wharf
Landmann Way
London SE14 5RS
United Kingdom
T: + 44 (0)20 8692 2255 F: + 44 (0)20 8469 0031 Email: sales@goodingalum.com

3. Aluminium Awareness Information
Aluminium awareness information
Key Facts:
• Aluminium is great for incorporating into weight sensitive applications, such as this one.
• Environmentally friendly aluminium is the only recyclable material that more than pays
for it’s own re-cycling costs!
• Re-cycling aluminium into new forms only requires 5% of the energy that originally
produced it.
• All manufactured aluminium is effectively a stored energy bank for future generations.
• Aluminium is only 1/3rd the weight of steel.
• Aluminium’s surface has a self generating and repairing oxide coating which makes it
corrosion resistant and therefore less expensive to maintain than steel and other
corrodible metals.
Gooding Aluminium Limited
1 British Wharf
Landmann Way
London SE14 5RS
United Kingdom
T: + 44 (0)20 8692 2255 F: + 44 (0)20 8469 0031 Email: sales@goodingalum.com

4. Who we are and what we do:
About Gooding Aluminium
Gooding Aluminium was established in 1979, continuous growth and innovation has led GA to become an established and respected national and
international supplier of a wide range of high quality aluminium sheets, aluminium profiles and 'made to order' aluminium products with 'invisible'
fixing solutions.
We are dedicated to providing a highly responsive service to match the requirements of each ‘made to order’ customer
and alternatively in providing a quick and easy on‐line facility for those wishing to purchase aluminium stock materials and products for immediate
dispatch.
Gooding Aluminium is based in the rejuvenated Docklands development area of London, about 3 miles from the Olympic Park, reflects the dynamic
nature of an industry that is in the midst of continuous change to meet the commercial, environmental and social challenges of the 21st century.
Our products and services are continually recommended by leading Architects, Interior Designers and Contractors having successfully been
incorporated in many outstanding projects and applications.
You can see more images of this award winning project by visiting www.goodingalum.com
Gooding Aluminium Limited
1 British Wharf
Landmann Way
London SE14 5RS
United Kingdom
T: + 44 (0)20 8692 2255 F: + 44 (0)20 8469 0031 Email: sales@goodingalum.com