Three Lift-layout Options – Stair Void, Atrium / Light-well and Wall-side Installation

Choosing the correct location for a villa home lift can preserve almost all usable indoor floor area. A poorly-chosen position wastes living space, creates poor lighting, awkward circulation routes and causes troublesome construction-modification work later on. Three mainstream layouts are available: installation within the stair void, within an atrium / light-well, and wall-side indoor mounting.

ZADIM from Sweden has delivered numerous real-world projects for all three layouts. Both screw-driven and steel-belt-traction product lines work with factory-prefabricated panoramic shafts. This article breaks down the strengths, weaknesses, dimensional thresholds and suitable models for each layout, to support homeowners’ early-stage layout planning.

1. Installation within the stair void – the classic solution

The lift sits within the U-shaped or L-shaped stair turning void, fully integrated with the staircase.

Advantages 

• Excellent space-saving: utilises otherwise-wasted stair-turn void space.

• Additional stair handrails are often unnecessary; the lift shaft itself acts as a protective balustrade for improved safety.

• Logical circulation: stairs and lift share the same vertical circulation zone for smooth transitions.

Disadvantages

1. The stair void cannot be overly narrow. Insufficient void dimensions will reduce stair-passage width and create cramped stair access.

2. The panoramic lift faces directly onto the staircase. For privacy-sensitive households, partial-panoramic glass is recommended.

Dimensional thresholds 

• Screw-driven models: minimum 860 × 860 mm

• Steel-belt-traction models: minimum 960 × 910 mm

Recommended models 

• Retrofit of finished homes: screw-driven Z5000 / Z6000 / Z7000

• New-build properties with high daily usage: steel-belt-traction Z8000 / Z9000

Suitable properties: townhouses, semi-detached homes, compact detached villas, 2-4-storey duplexes. The preferred option for most retrofit projects.

Real-project references 

• Chongqing Z8100, stair void installation, clear opening 1260 × 1260 mm

• Quzhou Z8000, stair void installation, clear opening 910 × 1110 mm

• Wenzhou Z8100, stair void installation, clear opening 1060 × 1110 mm

• Ningbo Z3000, stair void installation, clear opening 1260 × 1260 mm

2. Wall-side installation – the most flexible solution

The lift mounts alongside an interior wall without occupying main living-zone floor space.

Advantages 

• Minimal impact on existing layout; only one wall-adjacent zone is required.

• Low visual intrusion; wall-mounted installation preserves overall interior coherence.

• Custom-coloured shaft frames can be matched to wall finishes.

Disadvantages

1. It consumes dedicated indoor floor space, occupying part of a corridor or room corner.

2. Poor ambient lighting at the wall-side location can make an all-glass panoramic shaft appear dim. Partial-panoramic configuration combined with interior accent lighting is an effective remedy.

Dimensional thresholds 

• Screw-driven minimum footprint: 860 × 860 mm

• Steel-belt-traction minimum footprint: 960 × 910 mm

• Wall- and floor-slab load-bearing capacity must always be verified.

Recommended models: Both screw-driven and steel-belt-traction are applicable. Screw-driven for finished-home retrofits; steel-belt-traction for new builds.

Suitable properties: Insufficient stair-void or light-well space; townhouses and older-villa retrofit projects.

Real-project references 

• Chengdu Z9000, wall-side installation, clear opening 1160 × 1260 mm

• Jinan showroom unit, platform size 900 × 900 mm, wall-side display

3. Installation within atrium / light-well – the most ceremonial solution

Positioned inside villa central atriums or double-height light-well zones, offering all-round viewing.

Advantages 

• Strong visual focal point; the lift becomes a sculptural interior feature.

• Maximum panoramic experience; four-sided glass shaft delivers 360-degree views across the residence.

• Enhances spatial layering; vertical circulation interacts dynamically with horizontal living zones.

Disadvantages

1. Many light-wells have irregular proportions and multiple structural beams and columns. On-site engineer survey is mandatory to verify shaft-frame compatibility.

2. Surrounding beams are used as fixing anchor-points; building-structure assessment is required. Underground pipework at light-well bases often complicates pit-construction work.

3. The lift may sit distant from staircases, creating indirect circulation routes.

Dimensional thresholds: Recommended minimum opening ≥ 1100 × 1100 mm; smaller dimensions result in cramped cabin interior space.

Recommended models: Prioritise steel-belt-traction Z8000 / Z9000 for full four-sided factory-integrated panoramic glass shafts. Where space is constrained, Swedish-origin screw-driven Z6000 is an alternative.

Suitable properties: Large detached villas, premium residences with double-height living rooms. Best planned during new-build construction phase.

Comparison of the three layouts

ZADIM’s smallest required footprint is only 860 × 860 mm, and all three installation positions are feasible. Select according to building structure, circulation planning and interior-design style.

Practical selection pitfalls & ZADIM survey-phase key checks

1. Never finalise positions based purely on drawings. Mandatory on-site survey to verify beam-column layout, floor-slab load-bearing capacity, pit conditions, top-floor headroom and service-pipe routing.

2. Suggested priority order: stair void ＞ atrium / light-well ＞ indoor wall-side mounting.

3. Whichever location you choose, specify factory-prefabricated integrated shafts. Avoid site-welded steel-frame shafts, which suffer from poor fabrication accuracy and high risk of later-stage creaking noise.

4. Privacy-control solutions: full-panoramic, partial-panoramic (single-face glass), gradient-frosted glass; select as required.

5. Budget note: Base-equipment pricing is identical for all three layouts. Cost differences mainly stem from civil-engineering modification expenses; atrium-based installation usually incurs slightly higher building-work costs.